NORFOLK, Neb. -- There were no extended speeches and no guarantees of wins.
Instead, the Northeast Community College coaches and players didn’t offer a lot of words Wednesday over the noon hour as students, staff and faculty gathered at Union 73 to send off the Hawks men’s and women’s soccer teams before they enter nationals in Tucson, Ariz.
It was fitting. Both the men’s and women’s soccer teams have done most of their talking on the field.
Chartwells, which provides catering services at the college, provided the athletes and supporters with a meal of pasta, marinara sauce, chicken alfredo, salad, water, lemonade and cake.
Players signed posters and visited fans and students who wanted to wish them well.
Head Women’s Soccer Coach Chad Miller said his team has appreciated all the support from the campus and outlying community this year.
“It’s probably the best I have seen,” Miller said. “And I know a lot of people might not know a lot about soccer, but it is awesome to see the support, including from (the men’s soccer team)."
Miller said he is proud of the women’s team, which is the fourth overall seed.
“We’ve had some nail-biters this year, but they always seem to find a way to pull through,” Miller said. “It’s been impressive to watch them go from winning their very first game to winning the region and the districts and coming back three times, including two over-time wins.”
The Northeast women’s team will play No. 9 seed Schoolcraft College of Livonia, Mich., on Sunday at 6:30 p.m. Northeast defeated Schoolcraft in the season opener on the road, 1-0. Northeast’s other group-stage opponent is Jones College of Ellisville, Miss., which is seeded fifth. That game will be at 6:30 p.m. on Tuesday.
Head Men’s Soccer Coach Adam Potter said the top-seeded men’s team also appreciated the support from the community all year.
“We also want to compliment the women’s team for pushing the men’s team and vice-versa along the journey. We’re really excited to get going and get to the national tournament,” Potter said.
The national championship tournament has been in the back of the players’ minds all year.
“This is where the actual season begins,” Potter said. “This is something we have been working for. It’s been a goal for us, so now the actual season begins. Thank you all and the job is not done.”
Northeast men will play No. 12 seed Patrick & Henry Community College of Martinsville, Va.,on Sunday at 11 a.m. Then on Tuesday, the Hawk men are scheduled to play No. 8 seed Prairie State College of Chicago Heights, Ill., on Tuesday at 11 a.m.
Amanda Nipp, Northeast vice president of student services, said being a student athlete is not easy.
“You all worked really, really hard in the classroom,” Nipp said. “You have to work hard to stay on top of all your academics while you also are working hard to compete on the field. That is a lot.”
Leah Barrett, president of Northeast, said she wishes the teams “the best” during the NJCCA DII Soccer National Championships.
“I don’t wish you luck because you don’t need it,” Barrett said. “You have the skill and the passion to be excellent. We just want to wish you all the best. We’re excited for everything you’ve done this year and we’re excited for the next several days.”
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Soccer Sendoff cutline
Sergio Aspas from Valencia, Spain, has several No. 1 fingers on his hand during a Northeast Community College soccer sendoff on Wednesday at Union 73 for the men’s and women’s teams before they leave for the NJCCA DII Soccer National Championships.