The men\u2019s soccer team is hosting the Great American Conference (GAC)\u00a0 tournament tonight for the first time in school history. After clinching the one seed in their win against Southern Nazarene University (SNU) on Saturday, Oct. 14, the Bisons are looking to do something that has never been done before.<\/p>\n
The Harding men\u2019s soccer team is only 17 years old. Last year marked their best year ever, winning the GAC tournament for the first time. Having the chance to win back-to-back, this time at home, is like a dream, according to senior defender Aaron Craig.<\/p>\n
\u201cWe started out really rough this year, losing our first three games of the season,\u201d Craig said. \u201cWe\u2019ve managed to turn that around. The hardest thing this year has been working as a team.\u201d<\/p>\n
Never before had Harding beaten Lindenwood in men\u2019s soccer. They did that Friday, Oct. 20. They had also never tied with Christian Brothers University, and they did that Thursday, Oct. 26.<\/p>\n
\u201cCoach Jon Ireland is a tough coach, but he really knows what he\u2019s doing. I would say the coaching change has really helped our success the past two years,\u201d Craig said. \u201cOur ability to come back against adversity has been one of our biggest strengths. That\u2019s why we’re regular season champs.\u201d<\/p>\n
Before Ireland, the Bisons were without a winning record in all 15 seasons. With such a change to a program, the men are the ones who have been stepping up, Ireland said.<\/p>\n
\u201cIt gave the guys a lot of confidence last year in that we had our first winning season. Now they believe that anything is possible,\u201d Ireland said. \u201cThey never quit. The guys always have a fighting attitude. We\u2019ve been able to come back from some games and ended up winning those in over time.\u201d<\/p>\n
The team does not have just one stand alone player, but rather a lot of very talented men, according to Ireland. Sophomore midfielder Christian Ramos is one who has been a key player in helping the Bisons to recent success.<\/p>\n
\u201cOne of our strengths is our chemistry is really good,\u201d Ramos said. \u201cWe all get along and that definitely helps us out on the field.\u201d<\/p>\n
Ramos was named GAC defensive player of the week on Oct. 25.\u00a0 Ramos scored two goals in the win over Lindenwood.<\/p>\n
\u201cThis year we\u2019re more used to winning. We\u2019ve just been keeping it up and looking on improving each time we step out there,\u201d Ramos said. \u201cWe always have something to prove. People thought we just got lucky last year in winning it all. This year we just have to keep proving that it\u2019s not just luck.\u201d<\/p>\n
The Bisons will face SNU in their first game of the GAC tournament tonight at 7 p.m. at home.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"
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