As the fall season approaches, the Harding soccer teams are searching for redemption at the Stephens Soccer Complex.
Last season, the men and women fell short of qualifying for the 2023 Great American Conference tournament. With many returning and new faces around the locker room, both teams are set for the long-awaited 2024 season.
Led by their head coach Dr. Greg Harris, the Lady Bisons enter the new season with 21 returning players. Junior forward Whitney Thomas returns to the squad after leading the team with five goals in 2023.
Harding features six seniors for the upcoming season. Senior midfielder Hattie Hinkle said the team has prepared well for the conference schedule.
“We’ve had a lot of team bonding and getting to know each other,” Hinkle said. “We are definitely looking forward to the rest of the season.”
The women’s preseason was highlighted by a 5-0 victory over the University of the Ozarks. One of the goalscorers, freshman forward Kloey Fullerton, said the team produced multiple scoring chances throughout the match.
“It was a great confidence booster,” Fullerton said. “Knowing that our goal was to score and get multiple shots in — it was a great first step.”
With less than a week before the regular season opener, Hinkle said the team continues to work hard on and off the field.
“We do a lot of goal setting personally, and as a team,” Hinkle said. “We are not only trying to make ourselves better on the field, but making ourselves better teammates.”
As the Lady Bisons bring in nine new players, the men’s team features 17 new faces ahead of the 2024 season.
Jon Ireland, the Bisons head coach, will showcase a new look for Harding after missing out on the 2023 conference tournament.
Junior forward Matthew Sanchez, one of the 11 returning players, said the team has “meshed well” during training.
“It seems like we already have a really good bond,” Sanchez said. “I would almost allude to it as a family.”
The Bisons final preseason game ended in a 1-0 victory against the University of the Ozarks. Junior forward Cian Halpin opened the scoresheet for Harding.
Sanchez said the depth in attack will provide a spark for the team moving forward.
“There’s so much more creativity on-and-off the ball that Coach [Ireland] is really trying to push this year,” Sanchez said.
As the preseason comes to a close, the Harding soccer programs have their sights set on the season opener.
Both teams will host Union University Sept. 5 to begin the regular season. The women’s team will kick off at 11 a.m., which will be followed by the men’s team at 1 p.m.
