AGAINST THE ODDS

HENDRIX MEN’S SOCCER TEAM REACHES QUARTERFINALS

BY ALAINA MAY

With over three decades of seasons and hundreds of games, the Hendrix College Men’s Soccer team has just achieved its third winning season in the history of the program. The reason for this sudden change? Possibly a comeback after the lull caused by COVID. Maybe even sheer luck. If you asked the team, however, they’d know the honest answer: determination and support from their fellow players and fans.

Practicing together, working together, and competing together have been integral to the Soccer team’s success.

Angel Ortiz, a Hendrix junior and member of the soccer team, emphasized the importance of maintaining a healthy, strong relationship with his teammates.

“You come into the team, and you’re accepted. No matter who you are, no matter what you are. You’re accepted and we play for each other. Not only on the field but off the field,” Ortiz said.

Matthew Kern, coach of the team for the last six years, feels incredibly proud of the work and effort that his team has put into this season. Hendrix senior, Luis Civallero, shared that there can be multiple factors that affect the outcome of a game. The number of fans in the crowd, the weather conditions, or if it’s a home or an away game—all these factors play a role. However, Coach Kern tries to remind the team that every game, no matter the circumstances, is an opportunity to get a win for Hendrix.

“We just try to have the guys encourage each environment. We try to tell them if we’re playing away that’s what we prefer, if we’re playing at home then we prefer to play at home. Or if it’s raining then we like that best or if it’s hot and sunny then we like that best too. Glass is half full,” Kern explained.

There can be pros and cons to having a large audience during any game. It might be easier to get distracted or feel pressured if family and friends are watching you, but Civarello believes that having fans to support him and his team can help encourage them to perform better and improve their morale.

“I can definitely say our Senior Night against Rhodes we had about twohundred people come out and just the environment that the fans gave us really gave us that boost and a field advantage,” Civallero said.

The current upperclassmen team members have had to experience losses on and off the field as the majority of their college years have been consumed by the era of COVID. Being able to finally have fellow students and peers cheering them on, according to Coach Kern, made all the difference.

“Especially the senior class because they’ve been punched in the mouth a couple of times early in their career here. So, it’s been neat to see them being rewarded for sticking it out,” Kern said. “It was also neat to see the Hendrix community enjoy it as well. We didn’t do this by ourselves, it takes a village. It’s an awesome, awesome small college campus and our guys enjoy playing here.”