That other UD soccer team

As a successful season for the UD men’s club soccer team comes to an end, co-president Michael Harsar’s expectations for the future of the club are at a new high.

This year marked the first time in several years the club qualified for regional competition, which was held at the Grand Park Sports Campus in Indianapolis. Regional competition was a goal they had set for themselves at the beginning of the school year and were able to achieve through what Harsar calls “constant dedication” to games and practices on Stuart Field. 

With a record of 7-2-1, the team was ranked 11th out of the 58 teams in their conference. It was a season committed to growth, both in terms of the number of players in the club and their skills on the field.

For more than 25 years, the club has competed against other schools as a member of the Midwest Alliance Soccer Conference. The club travels and hosts games against other universities including Ball State, Notre Dame, Purdue and Indiana University.

“We hold tryouts every year, and they’re super competitive,” Harsar said.

“We [usually] have around 50 guys come out, and we typically only take between five and 10 people.”

Their current roster of 33 features players of different majors and backgrounds. Once you’re on the team, the hard work doesn’t end, Harsar said. The team chooses 25 players to play for each game, and each team member is earning his place on the field week by week.

“A lot of the guys on these teams could have probably played for different colleges, so the level of competition is higher than back in high school,” Harsar said. “It’s a good challenge.”

Harsar said he has enjoyed being co-president, as he’s played competitive soccer for nearly his entire life. Before choosing a college, he said he thought about playing college ball while balancing other campus activities and realized he could find good competition and fun on a club team.

“Club sports are a great way to be involved on campus but still get that competitive edge,” he said.

With the season behind them, the team’s focus hasn’t shifted. Harsar said the team has raised their expectations. Come fall, they’re ready to win it all.

Photos courtesy of UD Club Soccer