Players celebrate after their 3-2 win over St. Edward’s Oct. 8. Photo by Francisco Martinez
Hard work and being a family.
Words that would highlight the success of the men’s soccer team — like 29 other brothers — this season.
“Being like a big family I feel has helped us be successful,” Juan Farres, middle forward and senior in economics, said.
Working to have a team mindset has also been a contribution to success said Ben Clarvis, left back and senior in business management.
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“We are more as a team and have done more team bonding,” Clarvis said. “We are playing more for each other instead of just ourselves.”
With a season record of 9-0-1 overall and 6-0 overall, Farres said they realized as a team they were starting to be lenient when they tied against Lubbock Christian on Oct. 5, 2-2 but have won both games since.
“We weren’t cocky, but we let our guard down a little bit,” Farres said. “We learned we need to play hard in every game.”
Lack of concentration at times has been a weakness for the team.
“We get big headed,” Clarvis said. “Some games we play weaker opponents so we aren’t switched on and we need to be all the time. We are being told to play every game like it is our last.”
Farres said a good characteristic about the players this year is that they never quit.
“When we were down 2-1 against St. Edward’s yes it was like a punch in the mouth, but we still had to keep working,” Farres said. “You’re working out there for yourself and the person playing next to you.”
Playing top-ranked teams hasn’t been the team’s only challenge. Adjusting to life in North Texas — America, even — was a challenge for some of the players, nine of whom are from other countries.
Farres was born in Colombia and moved to Ecuador when he was 12. In Ecuador, Farres played for two soccer clubs and his high school.
“My dad played soccer professionally back in Colombia, so I’ve always been in academies since I can remember,” Farres said.
Farres transferred from Richland College in Dallas four years ago, but was a redshirt his first year due to a broken leg.
“I came to Dallas to play for Richland pretty much out of luck. I was there while on vacation and the coach invited me to train with them,” Farres said. “After playing there for two years, Coach Elder and Coach Meachum recruited me and I transferred here.”
Farres said after graduation in December, he would like to still be active in the soccer community.
“I don’t think I will be able to play anymore after this season because I have a heart condition. Last year, I was diagnosed with bicuspid aortic valve. I was told I could play recreational but not competitive anymore,” Farres said. ” I want to stay and find a job with a professional soccer club, either coaching or something in the marketing department.”
Clarvis grew up in Newton Abbot, England and began playing soccer at a young age.
“I’ve always had an interest in soccer,” Clarvis said. “It is the biggest sport in England and ever since I can remember I have always played.”
Clarvis left his high school at the age of 16 to play for a professional team.
“In England you can leave school at 16 and I left to play professionally,” Clarvis said. “At 19, I got cut from the team because I got injured a lot and was out for two years.”
Leaving high school so early, Clarvis said he didn’t have an education or any grades to get into a university and started searching for universities in America.
“I went through an agency and one of my friends knew someone who helped him into school in America so I went through him,” Clarvis said. “Luckily enough I got in touch with MSU and they offered me an opportunity to play.”
Although Clarvis has played here for four years, he said at first it was a shock to him.
“I remember for the first month or so I didn’t like it here being away from my family,” Clarvis said. “After a couple months and getting to know everyone, I started to like it here.”
Clarvis said after graduation in May, he would like to continue playing soccer.
“I’m not sure exactly if it will work out, but I have went to a few trials and maybe I will go back to England to try and play,” Clarvis said.
Clarvis said if playing professionally isn’t available, he would like to go into coaching.
“I have done private lessons before and during the summers I have worked camps,” Clarvis said. “With coaching, I plan to stay because there are more opportunities here.”
NEXT GAME: Oct. 17, 2 p.m., Dallas Baptist
Men's Soccer against St. Edward's University
Christian Okeke, undecided junior, chases after the ball while being held back by Nate Coons, St. Edward's University student, where MSU comes back with a 3-2 win in MSU vs. St. Eward's University Oct, 8. Photo by Francisco Martinez
Christian Okeke, undecided junior, chases after the ball while being held back by Nate Coons, St. Edward's University student, where MSU comes back with a 3-2 win in MSU vs. St. Eward's University Oct, 8. Photo by Francisco Martinez
Christian Okeke, undecided junior, chases after the ball while being held back by Nate Coons, St. Edward's University student, where MSU comes back with a 3-2 win in MSU vs. St. Eward's University Oct, 8. Photo by Francisco Martinez
Ben Clarvis, business managment senior, manuvers around Pablo Covarrubias, St. Edward's University student, in MSU vs St. Edward's University where MSU beats St. Edward's 3-2 Oct, 8. Photo by Francisco Martinez
Ben Clarvis, business managment senior, manuvers around Pablo Covarrubias, St. Edward's University student, in MSU vs St. Edward's University where MSU beats St. Edward's 3-2 Oct, 8. Photo by Francisco Martinez
Ben Clarvis, business managment senior, manuvers around Pablo Covarrubias, St. Edward's University student, in MSU vs St. Edward's University where MSU beats St. Edward's 3-2 Oct, 8. Photo by Francisco Martinez
Albert Rodriguez, criminal justice senior, runs down the field to get the ball from a St. Edward's University opponent during the game, Oct. 9. MSU won 3-2. Photo by Rachel Johnson
Albert Rodriguez, criminal justice senior, runs down the field to get the ball from a St. Edward's University opponent during the game, Oct. 9. MSU won 3-2. Photo by Rachel Johnson
Albert Rodriguez, criminal justice senior, runs down the field to get the ball from a St. Edward's University opponent during the game, Oct. 9. MSU won 3-2. Photo by Rachel Johnson
Doug Elder, head men's soccer coach, yells at the referee for not giving his team a corner in MSU v St. Edward's University where MSU beat St. Edward's 3-2 Oct, 8. Photo by Francisco Martinez
Doug Elder, head men's soccer coach, yells at the referee for not giving his team a corner in MSU v St. Edward's University where MSU beat St. Edward's 3-2 Oct, 8. Photo by Francisco Martinez
Doug Elder, head men's soccer coach, yells at the referee for not giving his team a corner in MSU v St. Edward's University where MSU beat St. Edward's 3-2 Oct, 8. Photo by Francisco Martinez
Leon Taylor, business junior, attemps to pass the ball under pressure in MSU v. St. Edward's University game where MSU beat St. Edward's 3-2 Oct, 8. Photo by Francisco Martinez
Leon Taylor, business junior, attemps to pass the ball under pressure in MSU v. St. Edward's University game where MSU beat St. Edward's 3-2 Oct, 8. Photo by Francisco Martinez
Leon Taylor, business junior, attemps to pass the ball under pressure in MSU v. St. Edward's University game where MSU beat St. Edward's 3-2 Oct, 8. Photo by Francisco Martinez
Leon Taylor, business junior, goes up for a header passing it to his teammate during the game, Oct. 8. MSU beat St. Edward's University 3-2. Photo by Rachel Johnson
Leon Taylor, business junior, goes up for a header passing it to his teammate during the game, Oct. 8. MSU beat St. Edward's University 3-2. Photo by Rachel Johnson
Leon Taylor, business junior, goes up for a header passing it to his teammate during the game, Oct. 8. MSU beat St. Edward's University 3-2. Photo by Rachel Johnson
MSU's Soccer team celebrate their win versus St. Edward's University where MSU beat St. Edward's University 3-2 Oct, 8. Photo by Francisco Martinez
MSU's Soccer team celebrate their win versus St. Edward's University where MSU beat St. Edward's University 3-2 Oct, 8. Photo by Francisco Martinez
MSU's Soccer team celebrate their win versus St. Edward's University where MSU beat St. Edward's University 3-2 Oct, 8. Photo by Francisco Martinez
The men's soccer team gathers around cheering, jumping around, and filming their victory on snapchat after another win and continuation of their undefeated streak for this year's season. MSU beat St. Edward's University 3-2. Photo by Rachel Johnson
The men's soccer team gathers around cheering, jumping around, and filming their victory on snapchat after another win and continuation of their undefeated streak for this year's season. MSU beat St. Edward's University 3-2. Photo by Rachel Johnson
The men's soccer team gathers around cheering, jumping around, and filming their victory on snapchat after another win and continuation of their undefeated streak for this year's season. MSU beat St. Edward's University 3-2. Photo by Rachel Johnson
