By Payton Bell

Greensboro College’s soccer program has undergone a complete transformation. The new coaching staff and their vision for the program create a vivid image of what this program can be. With a brand-new coaching staff and a huge turnaround in such a short period of time, everyone is wondering how they made this transition and what adjustments they made from previous years.

For Head Coach Jacob Weinshank, taking over the Greensboro College men’s soccer team is more than just a job – it is a homecoming. As a North Carolina native and seeing the game grow, he started building the men’s soccer team by watching the local soccer scenes.

Along with the assistant coach, recent graduate Cristian Del Cid brings a great deal to this program. The transition from player to coach is a significant shift, demanding a new perspective. Weinshank highlights his excitement about the addition of a fresh perspective on the coaching staff.

“I like to say Christian bleeds Greensboro green; he has been an important part of any success we have had so far,” Weinshank said.

“With Jake giving me this opportunity, it came quite easily,” Del Cid stated. “But as a coach, it can be difficult at times because you do still have players that were your teammates.”

Having made this transition from player to coach, he offers a unique dynamic to the team and individual players’ development.

Del Cid added, “We have an identity. With Weinshank coming in with a plan, we as a team are executing it very well, and the guys are adjusting and taking it on.”

After facing setbacks in previous seasons, the GC men’s soccer team has emerged with a renewed sense of purpose and a burning desire to prove itself. This year, they are determined to achieve greatness.

“We can win it this year – we are going to win the conference championship,” one of Weinshank’s players stated, to which he adds, “I love to hear that mentality from the group and the shift of focus they believe they can bring this year.”

Weinshank has many connections with international contacts from his time in Division I as a recruiting coordinator. His contacts allowed him to boost the international presence here on the team, as 10 of the 15 recruits are international. This paid off this year because, though it is a young recruiting class and half the starters are first years, there is a lot of quality and talent within that young group.

The impact of these 12 international players extends beyond just their on-field performance. The key players involved in the dramatic turnaround by the program are not just local talent. A wave of international students has arrived, bringing a new level of skill and passion. From Sweden, Germany, Israel, and Switzerland to Spain, Colombia, England, and Italy, these players have quickly become integral to the Pride’s success.

These athletes have brought a unique cultural dynamic to the team. But what is it about Greensboro College that attracts global talent, and how are these players adapting to life in a new country while balancing the demands of academics and athletics? The Collegian interviewed three huge contributors to the program this year: freshman Kalle Hermansson, freshman Gustav Öhman, and junior returner Sergio Garcia-Barrios.

“My goals coming into this program were to develop both as a person, but mostly as a soccer player,” Hermansson said. “Since I am from Sweden, I understand everything will be different – a big challenge – but that was exactly why I wanted to come to this program.”

Success will naturally contribute to the team’s overall goal of winning the championship. It is not just about individual stats; it is about elevating each other’s game. Junior Garcia-Barrios adds to the discussion involving team goals.

“Creating a new style of play for the men’s soccer team at GC is a huge part,” he said. “However, we are a young team, we work hard, support each other, and overall, we all want to win.”

The wins and losses tell one story, but to truly understand this team, you have to step inside the locker room. What is the atmosphere really like?

“The team atmosphere is extraordinary, and we as players and our coaches know that is something we needed to work on since day one,” Öhman said. “College soccer is a beautiful thing because we are not just representing a team, but we are representing a whole school, a whole community. That is something we international students have not experienced before, and that is something amazing in my opinion.”

The leadership roles on this team are crucial to their triumph. As Hermansson, only a first-year, takes on the captain role, he expresses what that has been like so far.

“It has been honorable knowing that both the coaches and my teammates have trust in me,” he said. “My leadership as a teammate looks like always controlling the controllables. I find it important in teams to have work rate, mentality, and discipline.”

The most enduring achievements are those accomplished together. GC men’s soccer emphasizes prioritizing collaboration and aligning the team’s broader goals to create a cohesive environment. GC men’s soccer fosters a supportive global community and enriches our shared goals as they continue to take on this season.