Harding University soccer programs opened their new soccer facilities in the spring, and have now turned their focus to the new soccer field that the teams will play on starting this fall. Women’s head coach Greg Harris and men’s head coach Odie Guzman said they anticipate a good season on the new home turf.
“This surface is going to be nice, easy and flat so now we can play how we want to play,” Guzman said. “The field was bumpy and overused. We are ready to get out there and play our possession type game and win games.”
The coaches said they have been looking forward to this season because of how close these players are to each other and the talent they bring.
“This is the most family oriented group of young ladies I have ever had,” Harris said. “We are the epitome of a family; these girls do everything together from eating to praying.”
Seniors midfielder Ashley Martin and forward Jenna Taylor said they have built strong bonds on and off the field with all the girls.
“We have grown up together through the program,” Taylor said. “Our team more than earlier years, has put more of an emphasis on including everybody.”
Seniors goalie Will Lynn said the men’s team is the best he has seen in a long time.
“The level of play at practice has made us a much better team,” Lynn said. “We have 13 new players this year and they will add a great aspect to our team.”
The team was picked fourth in the Mid-America Intercollegiate Athletics Associationpreseason poll.
“I was surprised; I guess they realized we are ready to come back strong and get a playoff spot,” Guzman said.
The womens soccer was also fifth in GAC preseason poll; however, Harris said he did not want the team to focus on what the polls said.
“We wanted to focus on us and our style of play,” Harris said. “We have to play within ourselves and not worry about anyone else,” Harris said.
