Connor Edwards, born in Macclesfield, England, is the senior captain of Roger Williams University’s varsity men’s soccer team. He moved to Deerfield, Massachusetts in 2005 when he was around six years old.

All sports at RWU have experienced a change in their seasons due to COVID-19. Athletes are required to wear masks at all times, including during practice, where they have been restricted to playing in pods.

A pod is a group of athletes on a team that is placed together for a predetermined period of time for health and safety precautions. Individuals in these pods are required to use the same equipment each practice and only play with each other to limit possible exposure.

Edwards said the team will soon be able to practice together and eliminate pods.

Men’s soccer is utilizing the modified fall season to better the competitiveness of the team.

“The team has adapted well to our current situation,” Edwards said. “It is weird having practice in the fall but no competitive games, but we are taking this fall as a large preseason for the upcoming competitive spring season.”

With the season pushed back, the team is working hard to maintain a competitive mindset.

As captain, he had to adjust his ideas for team bonding because they targeted an increase in team-building activities outside of practices this fall — social distancing rules didn’t comply with those plans.

“It is hard on the guys not having a season because we have been working so hard for this season. For it not to happen hurts,” Edwards said.

“Over the summer, I would go on runs every morning as well as play pickup soccer with my housemates and teammates after work. My house also converted our garage into a little make-shift gym so that we weren’t missing out on weights when the gyms were closed.”

If given the choice, Edwards said he would choose RWU all over again, describing it as an enjoyable and life changing experience that he wouldn’t change even if he could. He said the ups and downs helped shape who he has become.

He credits a major part of his positive experience at the school to being an athlete on a team that became like family to him.

“Being a part of a team is very special, as you are surrounded by guys who have the same passions and goals as you do,” Edwards said. “When you surround yourself with those kinds of people, only positive things can come from it.”

Edwards would advise underclassmen on the team to work hard on and off the field.

“We are student-athletes and that mentality must be at the forefront of their minds,” Edwards said. “Along with that, I would say just to keep a positive mindset with everything they do. Not everything is going to go their way and that is completely fine. They must learn to overcome challenges and I have no doubt they can do that.”