A season with Adam Fenster

By Stephen King.
It was during his time as an exchange student in the Netherlands that Adam Fenster, head soccer coach at BCC, first considered the sport as a potential occupation. The Dutch culture made Fenster realize that soccer, with dedication, could be an occupation as well as a passion. It was seven years ago that he decided to join the athletic staff at BCC, becoming part of what he truly knows, and making soccer, the focus of his life. The most rewarding aspect of being a coach is watching a team “living and loving [soccer]” and “seeing players reach their full potential,” said Fenster. However, he added that building a long-term team in a community college is “almost impossible.” The recruiting aspect of the coaching occupation is paramount to the success of BCC, because players typically leave after two years. This year’s playoff game against Walla Walla was tough. According to Fenster, BCC found the back of the net to go 1-0 ahead, only to have the goal disallowed by the referee. The linesman had not signaled for a foul or off-side, and the referee even allowed the game and celebrations to continue as if the goal had been allowed, only to contradict his actions by saying “no goal.” Consequently, the game ended with BCC losing on penalties 3-0, after 90 minutes of stalemate. Fenster said that “it was as though it was fixed.” This was a disappointing result after a fantastic season with one of the most successful teams BCC has ever had. BCC had several games with three goals or more. Vini Oliveira’s form was a contributing factor of these high scoring games, scoring twenty-five goals this season. It was Oliveira who was involved in BCC’s win against Highline Community College, a memorable game for Fenster because of his team’s “drive and determination.” Oliveira slotted the ball past the Highline goalkeeper’s far-post to secure a 3-2 win for BCC after they had been in a losing position. Fenster acknowledged that it was “a culmination of teamwork.” Despite a season of success for the men’s BCC soccer team, Fenster said that they were not ignorant of their weaknesses and could “recognize that [Walla Walla] were a fitter team.”