RRAC News
Mon, Aug 24, 2009 - [Men's Soccer]
UTB/TSC's Brian Hardie
UTB/TSC's Brian Hardie
The life of a soccer defender isn't glamorous. Along with not receiving the same fanfare as strikers, being a defender also means accepting the grueling task of applying constant defensive pressure. But all that hasn't stopped senior defender Brian Hardie from becoming a defensive force.

Hardie won the 2008 Red River Athletic Conference Defensive Player of the Year and earned first-team All-Conference recognition after helping lead the Scorpions to a RRAC regular season championship, a RRAC Tournament championship and a berth in the NAIA National tournament.
 
While Hardie said he is proud of his personal accolades, he also said the key to his defensive success was the contributions of his teammates.

"Being named the Defensive Player of the Year was a great moment," Hardie said. "I was happy with my performance but it was not just me on defense. I had David (Purser) as my partner, who is now playing pro. I had Freshman of the Year Steve Howard back there and also, in my opinion, I had the best goalkeeper in the whole state of Texas in my goal, Juan Gamboa. So I had a lot of help."

Hardie came to UTB/TSC after a stint at Virginia Intermont College. It was at VIC that Hardie developed a relationship with current UTB/TSC head coach Dan Balaguero. Balaguero said that after seeing Hardie play in England, he knew he to recruit him to play at VIC.

"He has always had a wonderful left foot and tremendous pace and power," Balaguero said. "Brian is the kind of player that would be outstanding if you put him at right midfield or left back; he is such a smart player. His pace and strength are top rate. He is always be in position. I have never seen a forward get the better of him over 90 minutes."

Hardie's soccer journey has not only seen him transition from England to Virginia to Texas but also from striker to defender. Balaguero said Hardie's superior decision making allowed for the transition.

"His game has changed as he has become more of an organizer," Balaguero said. "It is not an easy transition from going from striker, who gets all the glory, to going in the back and becoming a blue collar player. He has done it with ease and has never complained."

Balaguero also said he expects Hardie to be a rock for the Scorpions this year as the team attempts to once again reach the NAIA National Tournament.

"I think we should win conference and I think we should go to Cali (Fresno, California) for nationals and make a big impact there," Hardie said.