Competitive Hawks raising expectations this season

MONTGOMERY, Ala.  – The Huntingdon men's soccer team is carrying a competitive attitude into the 2019 season.

With a mixture of returning players and newcomers, the Hawks are looking for continued improvement and success this season.

Huntingdon opens the season on Friday against Hendrix College in the Hendrix Invitational. The Hawks will play two games in the tournament, closing the weekend against Rhodes College on Sunday at noon.

Head Coach Matt Cooper on the Hawks' attitude entering the season: "Our overall mindset is to compete in everything we do on and off the field. We ask the guys to compete with themselves in the classroom, as well as on the field, and to push themselves to get better and improve in everything they do. We want to create a culture of constant growth, learning and improvement.

"Just talking soccer, our goal is to win games and be in the conference tournament at the end of the season. Plain and simple, our goal is to win games. We have done a great job this past season, and in the spring, of creating a great culture and team chemistry and having a great talent pool. Now, it's time to see the results on the field."

Cooper on the emergence of team leaders: "Currently we have one captain and we are looking at a few others to step up into that role. Right now, junior Hunter Hall will serve as our team captain. He has served as an excellent role model and leader to everyone in the program. Hunter does all the little things right and does everything he is supposed to do. He never complains about anything and just does his job, leads by example and knows how to motivate others to get the best out of them." 

Cooper on returning experience and talented newcomers: "Experience and talent is definitely going to be a strength for us this season. We have a good mix of returners and newcomers that will be playing this season and the returning group has done a great job so far of bringing the new guys up to speed on everything and getting them on the same page. The freshmen have jumped right in and have been willing to learn and soak in everything they need to do to make an impact and help us be successful this season. The willingness to learn and do what it takes to be successful is something I am very excited about this season."