The Auburn's men club soccer team ran into its 2012 season with high expectations, high hopes and team goals.
On Monday, Oct. 29, the team got news that it got a bid and was invited to the National Championships in Memphis, Tenn., from Nov. 15-17 for the first time since 2006.
This season the team has won 10 games, lost two and tied four.
Because of its success and accomplishments this year, the team was named the Club Sport of the Month by Campus Recreation in October.
"We've done really well, and right now we're fourth in our region," said Carey Davis, team president.
Though the team is fourth in its region, they are first in their Gulf South subdivision.
A major highlight toward the beginning of the season is when the team beat Birmingham Southern, a D3 school, 2-1, which could be credited toward their hard work and training.
"It speaks a lot about Coach Bo, the way he coaches and how he gets us prepared," said freshman Jackson Fendley.
The center midfield player joined the team because he knew Coach Bo and had previously played with some players on the team.
He said, "Practices are always fun. Everyone is good we're just as talented and competitive as each other."
The team has worked harder than what he's heard about from previous years.
He said, "Everyone has been going to all the practices, which is preparing us for the games, and in the long run helping with all the wins."
Like Davis and the rest of the team, Fendley's main goal was to make it to nationals, an accomplishment they knew was feasible.
He said, "At nationals it will be more intense because we would be playing against harder teams. Everyone is either at your level or higher."
Over the weekend of Oct. 26-28 the team played in the semi-finals at regionals in Rockhill, S.C., and lost to Florida 2-1.
Although it wasn't able to win, the team "did a lot better, got some confidence back, attacked, and gave them trouble" in the second half, Fendley said.
Assistant coach Kevin Rose said, "The team has been really good this season, we have a lot of good players, and it's been enjoyable... the intensity has been good all year, so practices will remain the same."
The team will now begin its long awaited journey as they practice hard for the next couple of weeks and prepare for nationals.
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