To the editor:
In the Oct. 28 issue of The Free Press, Sports Editor Peter Dugre wrote an article titled, “Soccer team plays with deflated balls;” an article in which he quite viciously attacked the USM men’s soccer team. This article was not only an insult to the soccer team, but a slap in the face to our athletic department and our institution as a whole.
First of all, let us clear up some truths about the men’s soccer team and USM athletics: all who participate are highly dedicated and always display the utmost in sportsmanship. So when the editor claims violence and punches thrown, it should be noted that this is a “violent” untruth. In fact, this year the team has committed 56 fouls less than opponents, and has been issued 10 fewer cards. This does not sound like the stats of a violent team, a team who throws punches.
The team is not violent. They do not throw punches. They just play every game hard and with heart. This is a team that has already scored two more goals than last season, and allowed 24 less goals against. These stats, however, go unnoticed. There was no article or even snippet when Taylor Lance (who happens to be the player in the picture accompanying the article in question) was named the Little East Conference Rookie of the week.
All of these accolades have been achieved, but all the reader of The Free Press knows about the USM men’s soccer team is that they are “an embarrassment from every angle.” All the reader knows is that the team is a violent, punch-throwing group of Neanderthals. This is an atrocious lie.
The saddest thing about this whole article, however, is the fact that our school’s own sports writer does not support his school’s sports. Last time I checked, the sports section and editorial sections were separate. Shame on you Peter.
Dan Hills
junior
political science major