At the age of 5, Hofstra University senior Harri Hawkins fell in love with soccer, and he has been playing ever since.
The Cambridge, England, native led the Prides backline this season to five shutouts, three of which came during its first three CAA conference games.
Over that three-game span, the Prides defensive unit allowed just two shots on goal.
Although no one in Hawkins family has played professionally, his dad and granddad follow teams and have a large interest in the sport.
I first started in primary school my mom and dad send me to this club and since then Ive gone every week. Ive really enjoyed it. I played more, played in school and then just fell in love with it, Hawkins said.
Hawkins is the middle child of three siblings. His younger brother, Owain Hawkins, is also a defender for the Wheeling Jesuit University Cardinals in West Virginia. In his final campaign, Hawkins served as a captain for the Pride and was the conferences most solid defender, earning him CAA Defensive Player of the Year and a nod for his third straight All-CAA First Team selection.
Hawkins attributed the teams stellar defensive season to its work ethic and strategy going into every game.
We study the opposition for the next game, look at how they play, look at their strengths and we come up with a plan of how were going to stop them by looking at their best players. The whole year our main force has been continuity.
The Prides backline, made up of sophomore Sean Nealis and senior Nino Alfonso, in addition to Hawkins, started every game together this season.
Weve played together for the best part of two years now. We just know each other. We understand each others games.You kind of know where each other are going to be and were on the same wavelength. Thats vital for a defensive group, Hawkins said.
While Hawkins enjoys receiving individual honors and gaining recognition, he said that hes not the only one who deserves credit.
Really without my teammates, without the coaching staff, none of that wouldve happened. Especially Rory [Murphy], Nino and Sean. A lot of credit has to go to them for helping us get those five shutouts.
Before coming to America, Hawkins often played left back, but has taken on the role of solely playing center back for the Pride. As hes played soccer in the states, Hawkins has learned how to understand the college soccer game.
Its very different from what I played back home. Its a lot more athletic and a little less technical. The pace of the games a bit quicker, so Ive learned a different way of managing a game, Hawkins said.
On what his plans are post-graduation, Hawkins hopes to play professional soccer and remain in America. He plans to take his Certified Public Accountant exam within the next year and move into accounting if playing professionally doesnt work out.
Ive loved [living in the states], Hawkins said. Ive got a big network of friends. Ive just really enjoyed it. Its a great country.
Hawkins has been able to make many memories as a part of the Pride over the past few years.
That includes winning the conference against University of Delaware last season, scoring in overtime in 2015 against Delaware, winning the regular season this year at Elon University, beating Wake Forest University 1-0 on the road his sophomore year and winning the first round of the NCAA mens soccer tournament against Lehigh last year.
Ive had some great moments during my time at Hofstra, Hawkins said. Ive been lucky.