Robbie Farquhar is one of five returning seniors for the Hawks.
Robbie Farquhar is one of five returning seniors for the Hawks.

Huntingdon men’s soccer ready to open season

By Chuck Tidmore

Sports Information Intern

 

MONTGOMERY, Ala. – Huntingdon men's soccer coach Matt Williams is looking for continuous improvement from his team this season.

From the start of the season through the end, Williams wants to see the Hawks make progress each day. Huntingdon opens the season on Friday against Oglethorpe University in the Jim 'N Nicks/PUMA Labor Day Classic in Birmingham at 5 p.m.

"We're just looking to take steps forward every day, every game and every week. So far, we have done that," Williams said. "Our goal is to try and figure out how we can make ourselves better every day and not accept dropping back."

During their first season of competition in the USA South Athletic Conference, the Hawks finished ninth in the standings. Entering their second year, Williams believes his team now knows what to expect.

"We know the standard now and it's a very tough conference," Williams said. "Now that we know what the standard is, it's our job to match it."

The primary goal for the Hawks is to make the conference tournament this season. Williams sees it as an attainable goal, but a goal that will not come easy.

Williams said returning leaders like Robbie Farquhar and Spencer Brown have done a very good job of pushing everyone and not letting the team slip backwards. Williams has also liked what he has seen out of newcomers Dylan Wier and Bo Jenkins.

"We're seeing good leadership out of some of our returning guys and our newcomers," Williams said. "Guys like Dylan and Bo have come in and adapted to the level of play pretty well. They definitely still have some work to do, but I've been happy with the way they have integrated."

Like Williams, Farquhar said he feels the combination of experience and new players is making the Hawks better.

"One of the goals for this team is to advance to the conference tournament and have a better record than last year," Farquhar said. "I'm really happy with our team right now. We brought in a lot of people who like to play quick, like to play physical and can match the two together. That should help us this season."