Coming off an injury early in the season, Andy Taylor has helped lead Oklahoma City University to the NAIA National Championships.
Taylor was injured in the first scrimmage before the regular season and suffered from a bruised bone.
“Ultimately the injury made me hungrier,” Taylor said. “It made me appreciate every practice and every game because I wasn’t even able to travel with the team while I was rehabbing.”
Upon coming back to the team, Taylor was able to make an immediate impact and led the Stars’ defense to 10 shutouts in the regular season.
Taylor, a senior from Liverpool, England, will be graduating in May and hopes to continue his soccer career in the professional arena. Last summer he was a member of the Austin Aztex in the Premier Development League, an amateur league that is currently the highest level of competition in amateur soccer.
“I would love to play professional soccer either here or in England,” said Taylor. “I’m hoping to be able to train with a team over the Christmas break and see where it takes me.”
The OCU men’s soccer team has not been to the NAIA Championships since 1991.
“I think that we have gotten progressively better and more competitive over the four years that I have been here,” said Taylor. “We have great camaraderie on the team as well as great support from alumni, family and fans.”
Taylor has one special fan that has helped him make his dream a reality, his granddad Billy.
“He is my hero and I have always looked up to him,” said Taylor. “He never missed a game while I was younger, he is my biggest fan.”
Unfortunately Taylor’s grandfather has not been able to come over to see Andy play while he has been in America and has recently fallen ill.
“I always know that he is with me while I am playing and I will definitely be playing for him at Nationals.”
OCU posted its highest ranking ever, rising to No. 2 during the regular season. The Stars have the No. 1 seed in the NAIA Championships.
“I think we have the talent to win the tournament. We don’t really have a superstar on the team and we all know that we have to work hard for each other,” Taylor said. “Our team is based on friendship and hard work.”
More on Andy:
Favorite food: Chicken pasta (cooked by my mom)
Favorite place to eat: Musashis
Favorite beverage: Diet Coke
Favorite class: Sociology of Modern Music
Favorite pro team: Everton FC
