WOMEN'S SOCCER TEAM OVERCOMES ADVERSITY DESPITE MULTIPLE INJURIES WORDS Garrett White I I PHOTOS Abigail Cooper & Evan S/Jlea1ingen Sport seasons were challenging for any team, but the Harding women's soccer team faced a harder situation when they sustained several injuries at the beginning of the 2017-18 season. Despite the challenges, the team continued to compete. The injuries included problems with hamstrings, quadriceps, ankles, feet, several concussions, staph infections, complications with an ACL and a broken clavicle. Head Coach Greg Harris, who worked as the men and women's coach for 10 years before becoming the women's coach in 2010, said that the amount of injuries came as a great surprise. "It's just been one of those years," Harris said. "1.X/e went into our first couple games hurt, and it's kind of been a domino effect of people going in and out, but you have to take that and work from there. We've been through a lor this year." Even though his team had a rough start to the season, Harris explained how they continued to comp te. "We've been through adversity, and we've come out on the other side of it," Harris said. "We're where we need to be. We've fought through and done the work they needed to do while injured. We've grown from it, those aches and pain , and that's been important too." Harris said he was proud of his ream's positive response to their situation. "They've responded great," Harris said. "The ladies that are injured worked hard to get back, (and those] that weren't injured worked hard to pick up the pieces they needed to for the time being. A lot ofladies have stepped up, and we've played a lot of people this year becau e we've had to. That's been good for the overall growth of this team'." Junior midfielder Bethany Sutherland was grateful for the amount of unity that team experienced due to their trials. "The team's injuries brought us closer as a team because we have to rely on each other and work together to get the job done," Sutherland said. Harris explained that he was thankful for his team and that the injuries they saw made them all more appreciative to play the game. "The fun part of it is that we love this game so much that we're willing to endure the times that are tough," Harris said. "It's like being married, (beingJ a parent (or] like being anything: it's not always fun. You love what you do, love the people you've been connected with and you love them enough to go through whatever adversity it is." According to sophom re midfielder Melanie Matkins, she truly felt the team's unity when a player was able to rejoin the team. "[When] a player returns, everyone is excited and does what they can to help them get back on their [feet]," Matkins said. "It is super encouraging, and I am so blessed to be on a team with a group ofgirls with such big hearts." I Junior midfielder Asia Hollingsworth kicks the ball back into the game after it went out of bounds on Sept. 23, 2017, at Stevens Soccer Complex. Harding played Oklahoma Baptist University (OBU) and lost 1-2 but they beat OBU 3-0 in 2016. // Photo by Evan Swearingen On Sept. 23, 2017, at Stephens Soccer Field, sophomore defender Avery Underwood blocks her opponent to keep the ball. Harding was defeated in this game with a final score of 1-2 against Oklahoma Baptist University.// Photo by Evan Swearingen Sophomore defender Holland Heinz tackles the ball away from her opponent on Sept. 10, 2017, at the Stevens Soccer Complex. Harding tied with Missouri Southern State University 1-1 after going into their second overtime. // Photo by Abigail Cooper ::E 0 ~ m z (/) U) 0 0 0 m :JJ :::::::: N w ......
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