, FUTBOL BRAZILIAN STUDENTS SHARE A HOME ON & OFF THE FIELD WORDS Braden Bowman / / PHOTO Evan Swearingen Three men's soccer team players from Brazil, juniors Julio Martins, Matheus Ribeiro and Andre Cunha, were united by their common past and strengthened through their shared vision of the future. "I was pursuing soccer in Brazil, but I also was looking for another plan if soccer did not work out," Martins said. Martins discovered a company in Brazil that would sponsor him to obtain a degree in the U.S. He initially went to a junior college in Arkansas City, Kansas, where he met Cunha. A similar opportunity presented it. elf to Ribeiro in Brazil that same year, after being asked if he had a desire to earn a degree in the U.S. while also playing soccer at the same time. "I have played occer since I was a child," Ribeiro said. ''And at a certain time in my life I dreamed of playing as a career. After I [sustained] a pretty serious injury, I thought to myself, 'Soccer can bring [me] a lot of happiness, but if I don't have soccer, what will I do?"' Ribeiro accepted the scholarship offer and began his education at a community college in Coffeyville, Kansas. The students admitted that their experiences at each junior college \Vere not quite what they were expecting. ''You know when you interview for a job you believe is your dream job?" Martins said. " ometimes after you are hired, you realize that the position is not as satisfying as you had hoped." Martin , Ribeiro and Cunha transferred to Harding at the end of their first year, which gave all three the opportunity to play for the men's soccer team. Cunha reflected on their group decision to come to Harding with appreciation and determination. "Here at Harding, with thi level of competition in the CAA, we are able to prove ourselves," Cunha said. Head Coach Jon Ireland said the players were an exceptional asset to the men's soccer team. "They are very good soccer player , exceptional students and great young men," Ireland said. "I am so ble sed to have them here at Harding and apart of the men's soccer team." I Juniors Julio Martins, Matheus Ribeiro and Andre Cunha all play midfielder on the men's soccer team. After coming to the U.S. from Brazil, they transferred from community colleges to Harding to play soccer and earn a.degree.// Photo by Evan Swearingen ~ m z u5 (J) 0 0 0 m :::IJ :::::::
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