Maturity is a trait that most students learn to acquire as they grow older and get further along in their college careers. For some, this may take a little longer than others. For the men’s soccer team, it needs to improve before they step on the field next season.

The Panthers racked up three red cards because they disagreed with a call 12 minutes into the second half of their 6-0 Missouri Valley Conference Tournament loss against Creighton.

The center referee Ron Cory called a foul in the Bluejays end of the field that junior forward Jason Thompson was not a fan of. Cory was, in turn, not a fan of Thompson’s reaction and decided to hand him a red card.

Freshman goalkeeper Ryan Eames was not pleased with his teammates early departure so he expressed his opinions to Cory earning him a spot right next to Thompson on the bench.

Senior midfielder Mike Murphy felt that with all the commotion on the field that Cory could use a drink of water. Murphy thought by throwing his water bottle on the field that maybe the calls would be reversed.

Boy was he ever wrong.

Cory wasted no time in showing him a little red too.

All of this came with the Bluejays leading by only two goals. One quick goal and a little momentum can turn a two goal deficit into a tied game in practically no time at all.

Instead of attempting to make a comeback for the team’s first ever MVC tournament victory, the Panthers allowed four more goals and had their season come toppling down.

In the heat of an important game emotions can run high, but players have to know their limitations. Because I do not know what Thompson said to Cory, I cannot judge his actions as much as the others.

Thompson, being a captain of the team, is allowed in some extent to speak with the referee about his or her calls. But being a team leader he should have tried to hold his tongue and just walk away.

Eames’ and Murphy’s actions are a little less forgiving. Eames was on the opposite end of the field and Murphy wasn’t even in the game. No matter how bad a call may be, you cannot let a referee determine the outcome of the game.

For a team that fought hard all season long to try to prove that it belongs with the powerhouses of the MVC, it is a shame for it’s season to end like this. Success comes with skill, determination and maturity. The Panthers had the first two, but need a little bit of work on the third