We have survived another tough weekend and are positioned nicely for a shot at the postseason. These last 5 games have been a grueling uphill battle, but our team has maintained a focus unparalleled to any I have ever seen.  I am continuously amazed by our fighting spirit and never say die mentality.

Nothing about this journey has been easy. Time and time again we have faced adversity and answered the bell. Friday night was another example of the team having to overcome a setback. We were tied with Mount Saint Mary's heading into the contest and both teams entered with a must-win mentality.

This urgency contributed to the frantic pace of the game. Both teams attacked and threw numbers forward trying to score a goal and both teams created numerous opportunities. Junior forward Makala Hairston (Baltimore, Md./Calvert Hall College) hit the crossbar with a header early in the first half. There best chance came after the center ref awarded them a penalty, but the spot kick went wide of the mark.

Late in the second half, and into the overtime is when the game's pace really picked up. It was evident that neither would be content with a draw. Despite an open game, both sides lacked the final quality to win the game and it ended 0-0. Everybody leaving the field was disappointed with the result.

Although the result was disappointing we still knew we had a good shot at making the playoffs if we won our final two games. The team had to regroup quickly and prepare for Monmouth on Sunday. Monmouth was the team that beat us in the championship last year, so if keeping the season alive wasn't enough motivation, we also entered the match with a sour taste in our mouths and something to prove.

The game was tight from start to finish. They are an extremely organized side that does not concede often. On the flip side, we aren't too shabby of a defensive side ourselves. Not much occurred from an offensive standpoint until junior Wayne Tiller (Magnolia, Del./Caesar Rodney)'s cross was deflected by a Monmouth defender, and pounced on by freshman Pablo Medina (Monterrey, Mexico/IMG Academies). Fitting to the type of game, it was our defensive pressure that started the attack, which led to the goal.

Monmouth threw their best effort at us in the second stanza, but we remained solid as a defensive unit. From the forward three, to the midfield, to the defense, everybody showed great commitment to defend. Senior Darius Motazed (North Vancouver, Canada/Sentinel Secondary) made all the saves required to seal the win. It was our first win over a top 25 team of the season and it could not have come at a better time.

The loss against CCSU seems to have been the turning point to our season. It was a wake-up call to the guys that if we didn't bring our best effort for every minute of every game, there would be no postseason. Since that time, we have gone over 5 games without conceding a goal. It has been over 500 minutes. Our 10 shutouts on the season rank us in the top 10 nationally.

Although we have battled ourselves back into the postseason race, we still haven't achieved anything yet. A loss to Robert Morris on Sunday would throw everything we have worked for out the window. Robert Morris is a good side. We have a lot of experience with them and they notoriously give us a tough time. Last year, they beat us 2-0 and outplayed us from start to finish. We know as a group that we have come too far to let one game derail our season. The excitement of senior day should add to the atmosphere. Hope to see you all there cheering us on in our quest to clinch a playoff berth! Go Flash!

Taylor Powers (Petaluma, Calif./Casa Grande) is a senior English Communications major at Saint Francis University. He is a defender on the Red Flash men's soccer team.