Row 1: B. Bailey, B. Wilson, J. Ireland, J. Weaver, J. Friday, D. Anderson, A. Borsheim, J. Ireland. Row 2: 0. Guzman (coach), C. Hunt, S. McGee, J. Stevens, C. Keeney, W. Lynn, R. Royer, C. Walker, J. Savage, C. Galloway (grad asst.), A. Brown (grad asst.). Row 3: I. Park, J. Mitchell, C. Walker, G. Haberstock, J. Amssoms, N. Ray, T. Sawyer, V. Maya, R. Wilhelm. The Bison soccer team welcomed new head coach Odie Guzman to the team this year. During Guzman's time as a student athlete on the Harding soccer team, he realized he wanted to be a part of the Harding community after graduation, but he never knew he would get a chance at that dream a mere three years after graduation. "I wanted this job ever since I played here," Guzman said. "Coach Harris was my mentor and spiritual leader. It was what I wanted to come back and do." Guzman graduated in 2009 with a B.A. in management. After graduation, he coached the soccer teams at Lubbock Christian University for two years before he was offered the job as men's soccer coach at Harding. "I love soccer," Guzman said. "I love the spiritual aspect of it, and I love setting an example for these guys. I plan on staying here for a while -just as long as they can keep me and want me." Guzman led the team into a new conference called the Mid-America Intercollegiate Athletics Association. Guzman said the new conference was challenging, but the players were devoted to doing their best and "putting Harding on the map." Senior midfielder Jackson Savage played soccer all four years of college and said the team could see that Guzman was competitive and had high expectations for the players. "It doesn't matter what age you are, you have to establish yourself as a coach," Savage said. "More important than age is your demeanor. He is not someone you want to mess with. He has established himself despite his age, and we 290 1 Athletics Heading in a New Direction New coach brings excitement and energy give him respect, and he deserves it. He has kept us in line and pushed us to be better." Though the team faced tough opponents, Savage said the team fought hard for each other and pushed themselves to the limit in practices and games. Royer said that Guzman always emphasized being ready to play before the game started. This included tough practices and serious warmup drills. In addition, center defender senior Rhon Royer said Guzman emphasized.an unusual approach to soccer. The team played a more possession-oriented game, emphasizing holding the ball and relying on communication instead of physical contact. "I feel that this year, more than any, we've come together as a team," Savage said. "I think a lot of that has to do with Odie. He's been pretty stern in his emphasis on team building and his emphasis on being united as a team. I think that's helped us win games and work hard for each other in practice." More than anything, though, Guzman wanted to serve as a mentor to his players and to help them become Christian men who could be leaders both at Harding and after graduation. "I always like to make sure that it's not just on the field stuff. I want to make an impact on these player's lives spiritually," Guzman said. "That's what matters most to me. Any man that comes through my program, I want to be a strong Christian man, leaders for their family or themselves." Lyndsey Ruble
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