Soccer, an odd sport played by foreigners with funny sounding names – well not here at Guilford. The Quakers Men’s Soccer season is underway and fans and players alike cannot wait for the first home game on Sept. 11 against Methodist University.”We got a good team this year and we are ready to take it to the next level” said Bram Crowe-Getty, a defender in his third season with the team.
Jeff Bateson begins his second season coaching the Quakers and has settled in well at his new home.
“Settling in was easy,” said Bateson. “I got a great group of guys who do not give me too much trouble.
The Quakers return after losing only three players, one of whom is All-Conference Honorable Mention goalkeeper Zane Campbell. Campbell decided to stay on with the team as assistant coach, however, much to the delight of Coach Bateson.
“It’s good to have him around, he brings a lot of experience to the team,” said Beteson, who spent much off the off-season recruiting new talent.
“It went well; we got a number of promising players,” said Bateson. “Pat Childs, who played tennis last year for Guilford and freshman Beau Arceneaux will fight for Zane’s place at goalkeeper.”
The Quakers return fifteen players from last year’s team, including junior Scott Meguid. Meguid tallied ten goals and four assists, and was named to both the All-Conference and All-Region teams.
“Scotty is inline for another good year, he has already scored for us in the preseason,” said Bateson commenting on players to watch for. “Mike McCaffrey has proven a great player and Mark Jarvis has shone consistency on defense.”
The preseason has not been without its setbacks, however. Bram Crowe-Getty suffered a fractured skull in a head-to-head collision during a preseason match against Cape Fear Community College. Surgery may be required. Sam Huff, another defender, injured his ankle during a preseason practice, but is expected to make a speedy recovery. Peter Deng-Bul, however, is back after missing much of last season due to shoulder surgery.
The Quakers face a tough schedule this season, starting with 10 games in Sept., only three of which are home.
“September is a tough month,” said Bateson. “We play a number of tough teams this year, many of them nationally ranked. Virginia Wesleyan, Roanoke, and Lynchburg are all going to be tough games . I say we easily have one of the most grueling schedules around.”
The Quakers enjoy a small but devoted fan base. The facebook group ‘The Fighting Quakers Men’s Soccer Fan Club’ has 115 members.
“I think the team has a really good chance at putting together a strong squad,” said club founder Shep Lashley ’09. “I think the support we give really helps out the team.”
At any given home game, at least 30 to 40 diehard and extremely vocal supports will show up to cheer on their team and their friends.
“Its great to have fans in the stands,” said Crowe-Getty. “It’s hard to play for empty bleachers.”
“The more the merrier,” said Bateson. “I think that many Guilford students are the kind of people who follow the more obscure sports, and soccer fits right in there.”
“Its fun to go to the games and support the team, but what I really enjoy is heckling the other players,” said junior Danny Jimenez, who cannot wait for the first home game on Tuesday, Sept. 11 at 4 p.m.
Come and support your team, but most of all be loud and have fun.