“Work hard for your team” were the first words I heard as I walked onto the women’s soccer practice field this past Thursday. This seemed to be a recurring idea as the Lady Raptors encouraged each other during what looked like a grueling cardio session. Admittedly, I was happy I wasn’t in their shoes, but they seemed to get through it with the help of each other and the support from the new head coach.

The new coach is Bradford Hartin, who graduated from Lycoming College in Williamsport, Pa. with Bachelors’ degree in English. Before stepping up as head coach at Montgomery College, Hartin served as head coach for the Parkville High School men’s soccer team for 10 years. During his time at Parkville High School, 2 players were named All-American and many were named All-State.

So why make the switch to a women’s soccer Junior College team? It was program’s reputation, Hartin explained, “I was really looking to get back into college coaching again. MC popped up, and I took it.”

His new role comes after a team that won the Women’s Soccer NJCAA National Championship last year with head coach Kelly Wakeman.

That doesn’t phase Hartin. “I do not feel pressure really, but I do feel a responsibility to uphold the reputation of this program. Not every team can win a National Championship year after year.”

Hartin’s cool, calm, and confident demeanor could only mean on thing: he trusts his team.

“Soccer is soccer and it is the same game. The only difference is the relationships formed with the team.”

The players seemed to respond to him even as he critiqued and instructed the team as a whole and individually. “My coaching is more of a partnership. If the girls work hard and play hard, that is what I can ask of them,” he said.

As for the season, Hartin’s predictions come off as realistic and manageable.

“We want to be able to compete in the region. There are some really good teams, but I know that we will be able to compete in games and come out with wins. If we run into problems, then we will get back to the practice field and work hard to fix them.” From sitting in on Thursday’s practice, the new head coach and the players seem to understand each other and work hard, which is vital to any team.

As the new women’s soccer head coach, Hartin seems to have a grip on this new team and his new role at Montgomery College.

The Lady Raptors’ next home game is on Tuesday, September 25.