Jayne Claire Vincent, Campus Carrier assistant sports editor

This upcoming weekend, the men’s and women’s soccer teams head into the Southern Athletic Association (SAA) conference semifinal games. 

One of the highlights for the men’s soccer team this season was beating their historic rival, Oglethorpe, who has been one of the strongest teams in the SAA for the past 10 years. 

“We are going in with two ties and three wins in the conference, overall, we have eight wins, two loses, and five ties,” Men’s Head Coach Richard Vardy said. “I think that’s an indication of how competitive we are.”  

A couple of home games they had on Friday nights have been another highlight for the team as well.  

“Playing at home under the lights, in front of fans and parents, and having good results makes the guys happy,” Vardy said.

Another key moment for the men’s team over the season did not just have to do with their rankings.

At the beginning of the season, when the team went out west to California to play a couple of games, they worked on strengthening unity.  The trip helped bring together the team by building chemistry and becoming focused on their goals for the season.  

Since there were 12 freshmen, the team had to rebuild their defense due to many graduating players last year.  

There were a lot of questions about who was going to play on defense, but seniors Michael Gul and Michael Carboni have stepped up this year. 

“The two Michaels especially have filled in those roles fantastically and our defense has been one of our strongest points,” Vardy said. 

Coach Vardy is grateful to team captain Henry Asbill and seniors Carboni and Gul for the leadership that they have provided. 

“They lead by example and the younger guys look up to them a lot,” Vardy said. “Especially since we have 12 freshmen, having seniors like those guys to set the tone has been very important.” 

Overall, the team has performed well over the season and has been competitive every time they step onto the field. 

“We’ve achieved some of our goals for this season and we still have a few to achieve,” Vardy said. “We come close to reaching our potential every year and we’ve done a good job moving towards that this year as well.”

Looking forward to the weekend’s games, the next challenge the team must face is competing against Rhodes on Friday for the semifinals. 

Freshman Zac Adkins believes that the biggest enemy that the men’s team must face is themselves. 

“We have the talent to go all the way, but the only team that is going to stand in our way is us,” Adkins said. 

Berry’s women’s soccer team has also performed well this season.  With 10 wins, four losses, and two ties, the team came in second in the regular season. 

Head Women’s Coach Kathy Brown is proud of what the team has accomplished this year. 

“As a coach, when I think about my team and my players, they need to know how proud I am of them,” Brown said. “I know they are working extremely hard, not just in soccer. I am demanding a lot out of them, but they do not give up and they are doing well.”  

One of the most exciting experiences for the women’s team was the win against Center, who they have not won against in many years.  Another key moment was beating Sewanee 1-0. 

In conference play, they have five wins, one loss, and one tie.  Since they are now in the semifinals it will be more challenging.

“It won’t be easy, and it shouldn’t be,” Brown said. “It is the final four. If you lose, you are out, if you win you advance.” 

With the addition of each new player, the team has progressively gotten better each year. 

“Our entire roster has improved which elevates our competition, our practices and our training,” Brown said. “We are in a better position this year than last year.  We truly do not have any bad players.”

This year the women’s team continued to build their talent level by bringing on 15 fresh players, one transfer and 14 first-year students. All of whom have adjusted very well. 

“I don’t think of them as freshmen now,” Brown said. “I haven’t thought about the fact that there are 15 new players since the beginning of the season.”

A compliment to the leadership on the team, Brown believes that the team leaders and seniors have helped guide the players in unification. 

“We are all about embracing new players and not having an attitude of superiority, we are all one,” Brown said. 

The team is ready to go and fight for the conference championship title on Friday where the best players will be competing against Center again. 

“They know I don’t play players because of what year they are,” Brown said. “I play who I feel the best players are.”

Senior Lyndsey Francingues looks forward to playing one last time and is grateful to have played for Berry all four years. 

 “It has been a great season for it to be my last,” Francingues said. “I am proud of my teammates, and it has been an honor to play with everyone.” 

If the women’s team beats Center on Friday, Nov. 4, they will play either Sewanee or Rhodes in the SAA championship on Sunday.