Every week after home games during the 2016 Denver men's and women's soccer season, DenverPioneers.com will check in with a former Pioneer soccer player:

Quick Bio:
Sam Harder made 86 appearances, starting 85 of those matches in the center of head coach Jeff Hooker's defense. Harder, who was Denver's primary set piece taker during her time as a Pioneer, scored six goals and tallied 12 assists in her career, including scoring three game-winning goals for the Crimson and Gold. Harder played 7708 minutes (89 minutes/game) in her four-year career.

Where are you now/What are you doing?:
I am currently in Denver training daily and working with an agent in hopes of continuing my soccer career professionally overseas.

Last time you touched a soccer ball/Where?:
The last time I touched a soccer ball was last night at Dick's Sporting Goods Park in a men's league game!

Highlight/favorite soccer memory from your time at DU:
Oh boy, I have a lot of favorite soccer memories from my time on the team. One of my favorites was scoring my first career set-piece goal in the 3rd minute of the game at home against CU in front of a sold-out crowd my sophomore year. But the memory that trumps them all has to be beating Maryland (#4 seed in the tournament) in overtime after being down 2-0 with 7 minutes to go in regulation my sophomore year, which sent us to the Sweet Sixteen of the NCAA tournament. I cried (bawled) happy tears for the first time in my life. Best feeling ever!!

Where do you see yourself in 10 years?:
In 10 years I see myself as a retired professional soccer player with a Master's degree working in counseling somehow, who is married and starting a family!

Favorite Jeff Hooker memory:
My favorite Jeff memory would be when Cassidy Rey was screaming like an infant during team pictures because a bug was flying around her head and Jeff yelled "CASSIDY!! Screaming will NOT make the bugs go away!!"

Biggest adjustment to life after graduation?:
Constantly getting asked, "So what are your plans? What are you doing now? Do you have a job?" And having to answer those with, "Well… I don't know what's next. No job yet but I'm working on it!" A lot of people don't think that's an acceptable answer.

What advice do you have for the current Pioneers about life after college?:
I would say first and foremost, enjoy the time you have left at DU and don't take a second of it for granted. Yes, life after college has its perks, but the time you spend at that institution and with those teammates and friends is time that goes by way too fast and it's time you'll never get back. Also, don't stress out and think that you have to have a set plan for your future the day you graduate. Take opportunities as they come and enjoy every step of this new chapter. And please, do something you love and are passionate about. If you get the chance, chase your dreams, whatever that may look like. You have the rest of your life to sit behind a desk and work, take the time post-graduation to explore and try new things, and grow!

Tickets:
Single game tickets for the 2016 Denver soccer season are on sale now, and can be purchased, here.

Fans interested in making a donation to the women's soccer program can do so by clicking here. Your contribution will make a direct impact on the success of YOUR Pioneers. Thank you in advance for your unwavering support of our student-athletes and their quest for excellence.