Sacramento State junior Adam Owens is the unquestioned leader of the Hornet men’s soccer defense. He didn’t get there by accident, but by hard work.

Owens is arguably the best player on the men’s soccer team. Starting from when he was a freshmen just trying to get on the field, Owens has proven that given a shot he excels.

That season he played his first full game as starting center defender against a New Mexico team that would go on to win the Mountain Pacific Sports Federation conference title. In a preview of what was to come he lead the defense to a shut-down of the Lobo’s offense and a surprising tie, 1-1.

For the next two seasons he would establish himself as the best defender and continues to this day be a leader for the Hornets.

“He’s a tremendous player who leads by example,” said Hornet coach Jason Gantt. Owens is the Tim Duncan of this team in the sense that he’s not a flashy talk trash person, he just goes out and leads his team by playing lights-out defense.

Before this season Owens was given a challenge by coach Michael Linenberger to “step-up.” Owens has responded and despite a rough start for the Hornets(0-7-1) he has been one of the brightest spots.

“He’s been our best player,” said coach Linenberger. He knew that Owens would step up because he has proven his whole soccer career he works hard to excel.

Owens was born in a suburb of Sacramento, Carmichael, to parents Larry and Deborah and early on in life chose to play soccer. Owens was so talented that he took his skills to Jesuit High, a private all-boys school that has long been a athletic powerhouse.

He played for the Jesuit Marauders for four years under coach Paul Rose. On a team with so many great players Owens had to constantly work to get better.

Despite all the work and pressure being on a national contender Owens took it in stride, “I liked it a lot. We always had such great teams and a lot of our games would be easy, but then we would have a hard one we would have to be ready,” said Owens.

Owens’ junior year he became the leader of the team and helped them to the national championship. With Owens leading the defense the Marauders allowed less than half a goal a game.

The championship was just one of the fruits of his labor. His senior year he was named to the All-Delta league team. Owens also proved then that he was a all-around good guy by winning the St. Thomas B. Moore award which is awarded every year to a Jesuit student for integrity. He was on the honor roll.

With high school finished Owens left for Sac State. Coming from a school like Jesuit that churns out winning teams in every sport every year, to Sac State which doesn’t, Owens knew it would be a big transition.

Owens immediately took to the school and the team, knowing that it would be just another challenge for him to overcome. In high school he was the big fish in a small pond, the “top dog” but now in college he was just another player.

“At first it was hard to know that I wasn’t even going to come in and start,” said Owens, “I had to motivate myself to work harder, I liked the challenge.”

After a short time he noticed “a difference” between his high school and college soccer teams. “High school was great but it was more businesslike there,” said Owens, “everyone on this team hangs out with each other and has fun.”

“He’s a great guy and one of the leaders on this team,” said fellow player and team captain Eli Millan.

Now in his third year he is one of the most experienced players and in the words of his coach has stepped up to become one of the leaders of the team.

“I feel that I keep the team positive on and off the field, like now were like 0-5 (now 0-7-1) but we have to stay positive if you’re going to have any chance to turn it around,” said Owens.

A player that leads by example, connects with his teammates loves to challenge himself and others, and is well-liked and respected; that sounds like a leader, and “AO” is one.

Contact Lamont Weaver at [email protected]