GREENSBORO, N.C. – Sam Coad begins the 2021 men's soccer campaign with a rare opportunity to complete a championship three-peat in one calendar year.
Not even soccer legend Messi has that chance.
The UNC Greensboro sophomore midfielder has enjoyed a memorable 2021 so far.
His four assists helped the Spartans win the Southern Conference tournament and qualify for the NCAA Tournament for the first time in over a decade in April.
This past summer, Coad was a key member of the 2021 NPSL national championship Denton Diablos FC team. It was highly competitive as more than 90 teams were eligible for the championship.
"Being part of this championship-winning team was amazing," Coad said. "I knew from the beginning I knew we were going to make it far in our season but never would've thought we would win a national title. Accomplishing SoCon champs was probably the best and emotional I've been about winning in a long time, that has processed, and will cherish that moment for the rest of my life.
"Winning a national title was a different feeling. It just a pure joy seeing the guys that I played with for five-plus years and win a national title with was just amazing."
Coad and the Spartans look to continue their winning ways when they host Old Dominion on Saturday at 7 p.m. Admission to the event is free to the public. UNCG is asking that patrons adhere to North Carolina COVID guidelines and social distance where available.
This is the first of two exhibitions for UNCG, which travels to Elon on Friday, September 20.
Soccer has been a life-long family affair for Coad, whose main actions for Denton this summer were to find the ball in small pockets of space and to combine with the forwards to create chances going forward.
The Highland Village, Texas native was built for this moment.
"I've been playing soccer my whole life," Coad said. "Ever since I could walk I always wanted a ball at my feet. My main influences were my two older brothers Austin, and Jack. They also played soccer growing up and having someone to always play and watching their competitive games with was a huge part of my development as a footballer."
He shined in his first year as a Spartan by playing 13 games and making one start against Longwood. His speed and savvy added another scoring threat to a potent UNCG lineup that led the SoCon in points (72) and goals (27).
He played a total of 290 minutes with a season-high 42 at Mercer. He had an assist in a game against Longwood along with two assists in a game against VMI. He had an assist that led to a game-winning goal at Wofford.
What's scary for opponents is playing for Denton made Coad's game better and increased his confidence.
"The most I learned this summer is how to create chances even when I don't have the ball, and helping other teammates find pockets of space to receive the ball," Coad said. "The main growth that I was working on this summer was finding the right times to receive the ball at my feet and being able to turn forward or to let it off to another teammate whilst having a man on my back."
Coad's outstanding summer included spending time with his family.
He was a groomsman at his oldest brother Austin's wedding. He also saw his brother Jack, who is in the Marines.
"Having those small moments with your siblings is special," Coad said. "We are at that age where instead of seeing each other every day, now it's maybe once or twice a year, so it means the world to see them."
Coad, who enjoys spending time with his teammates, is excited to be training for the upcoming season. The Spartans will use these two exhibitions to evaluate players and implement their system.
UNCG has a fun schedule that features games against sixth-ranked Clemson and 21st-ranked Coastal Carolina as well as matches against programs receiving votes in the preseason top 25 poll in Campbell and Virginia. The Spartans are also receiving votes.
Coad enjoys conquering challenges and winning championships.
He wouldn't want to be anywhere else than Greensboro.
"Being part of UNCG men's soccer program means the world," Coad said. "This program has only gotten better since I've been here. We have outstanding talent, and lots of competition within the team, which will only push players to do better every single day they step on the field."
