By: Sharvani Regmi
BROCKPORT, NY-- The 1968 Brockport men’s soccer was inducted into the SUNY Brockport Athletics Hall of Fame on Friday, September 20. The Golden Eagles were the No. 1 ranked college soccer team in the state of New York and reached the NCAA Round of 16 where they lost to Army on corner kicks following a 3-3 tie.
The team managed to score 21 goals and conceded only one goal in the SUNYAC. That was the fewest goals scored against in the history of Brockport men’s soccer. Five players in Bob Ketchum, Roy Miller, Mike Greco, Ron Wheeler and TJ Williams were given All-Conference honors.
Brockport Hall of Fame inductee striker Roy Miller is the eighth highest goal scorer in the history of Brockport men’s soccer with 32 college career goals across 1968 and 1969. He also maintained a 12-game scoring streak in the 1968 season making him the only player to do so in Brockport’s history.
“The season was unbelievable,” said Miller. “We stuck together and played together. You know in order for you to score somebody has to get you to go. So, I had some good people around me and I was just lucky enough it put it between the posts, right place and right time.”
Brockport Hall of Fame inductee, captain and center back Williams was also named All New York State and First Team All-American honors.
“I played in a central role as a central defender,” said Williams. “I loved it when the game was in front of me. I could see everything. I actually considered my role as the captain to develop good chemistry on the team, and it just came easy to me because that’s just the way I am. So, we were technically a strong team, soccer wise but I think what made us successful was not only our ability as soccer players, but we played together on the field, and we played together off the field.”
Head coach A. Huntley Parker Jr. was named the 1968 Men’s Soccer Coach of the Year by the National Soccer Coaches Association at the All-American Awards. Parker Jr. is the second most winningest coach in the program history with a record of 161-53-21. He trails current head coach Gary LaPietra's 270 wins. Brockport's current soccer field was named after Parker Jr. to commemorate his accomplishments.
The 1968 team played mainly a 4-3-3 formation which was ahead of its time.
"We had enough talent and Huntley Parker Jr. was an advanced in his coaching theories," said Williams. "Parker worked a lot with the offense. Hughes worked for the defense, so we were getting specialized coaching back 56 years ago. Not every school was able to do that, it was their ability to recognize ability, and putting people at the right spots, and they seem to do that well enough. Guys like Maynard on the wing with speed and up top Hickey who was clever.”
Williams attended the current men’s soccer team practice and was impressed by the technical aspect of the team.
“It’s a different game than we were playing,” said Williams. “They’re in a different conference or playing different teams. They look solid. I talked to a kid that went to my old high school and it was nice to see somebody from my old town, but yeah, they are a solid team. They seem technically solid. Seems like the coach had a good handle of what was going on. I enjoyed the training session.”
The team that represented Brockport men’s soccer program 56 years ago were inducted in the Hall of Fame and was recognized for their achievements not just as individuals but also as a team.
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