This story is per “The Reflector” press time.
The University of Indianapolis men’s soccer team wrapped up its regular season with an overall record of 8-4-4 while going 4-2-2 in Great Lakes Valley Conference play. The team entered the GLVC tournament this past Sunday, Nov.10 as a fourth seed, according to UIndy Athletics, and has high hopes ahead to perform well.
After facing some adversity in the beginning of the season with two losses, the team pulled through with eight wins, interrupted by a singular tie, according to UIndy Athletics. Junior midfielder Kabiru Gafar said the losses lit a fire under the team to perform better.
“We went on eight games unbeaten in the conference,” Gafar said. “[I’m] not saying it was good for us to lose the first two games, but that was a switch up. We know we need to get it together.”
When it comes to losses, senior team captain and center midfielder Jakob David said it is an unfortunate outcome for the team. However, David said it is important to take the experience and learn from it too, going game by game.
“Obviously you don’t want to lose, but I would say it takes leaders to step up in difficult moments,” David said. “A loss is probably the most difficult moment possible. … just reflect on what went wrong, talk it through and then try to get through it and then focus on the next game or next training.”
Head Coach Gabe Hall said, when everyone does their part on the team, it makes moving on from negative outcomes far easier. He added that success has more to do with the culture the players create for themselves than the things out of their control.
Surrounded by other UIndy teams with winning cultures, there is an expectation to win every game, conference and tournament, Hall said. While that culture may be stressful for the men on the team, it has also created a space for a community that Hall, David and Gafar agreed is like a family.
“We look at each other like a family — like it says on our shirt, united as one,” Gafar said. “And that’s really what we try to do. Every training, every session together, every meeting, every video session, every team dinner, wherever we go, we try to be united as one. And that’s where the culture part comes in. It’s really important for our progress and what we’re trying to accomplish here.”
Hall has personal experience with various soccer teams but, said he feels like this team is a family. When you are part of a family like the UIndy men’s soccer team, you do not want to let the others down, Hall said.
“I think that’s where the boys have done a really good job of creating a culture of family and togetherness,” Hall said. “And that carries onto the field where they’re willing to fight for each other and work for each other, and they don’t want to disappoint each other, and so they give a little bit extra.”
Family or not, David said his faith in his team allows him to continue believing UIndy has the best team. Although inconsistency found its way into the beginning of the season, David said it is important to continue fighting regardless of outcome.
“We want to win the regionals, want to go as far as possible,” David said. “I think we have a good chance, but obviously we have to go game by game.”
