“In our eighth year of existence, it’s a great accomplishment for our team to finish the season ranked among the top four in the country,” Tech head coach Fidgi Haig said. “Reaching the Final Four was a goal of mine when I took over the program five years ago. At the time, we also wanted to compete against the top teams in the country by 2010. We certainly accomplished those goals this season.”
The Panthers’ season included a flawless 6-0-0 record at Rick Stottler Field, a Sunshine State Conference Regular-Season Co-Championship and an appearance in the NCAA Division II Final Four. Although their 10-7-5 overall ledger may not look as impressive as other teams, Haig and Co. won via shootout four times. Officially, those games are recorded as ties.
By achieving the program’s highest national ranking, the Panthers surpassed their previous best, set earlier this season. After beginning the year ranked No. 21, Tech jumped up to No. 13 in the NSCAA’s first poll, unveiled on Sept. 7.
Tech is expected to return 10 starters in 2011, including five Daktronics All-South Region members and four All-SSC First Team performers.
“Since the season ended, our goals have shifted and we want to go even higher,” Haig said. “But we want to remain a quality and consistent team. Achieving our first set of goals was difficult. Surpassing the next set will be two times harder.”
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