Austin Davies still remembers the nerves that came with stepping onto campus for the first time. Thousands of miles from Newcastle, England, he was alone in a new country, chasing a dream that felt both exciting and overwhelming. But it didn't take long for Friends University men's soccer to turn that uncertainty into belonging.
"The team was really welcoming when I first came over," Davies said. "It was quite scary coming over by myself without my family, and having a sort of second family in my teammates was a really good feeling."
That support helped him settle in—and start contributing right away. The freshman quickly found himself earning minutes and making an impact, playing a key role in a season that ended with a moment the program had been waiting years for: a Kansas Collegiate Athletic Conference regular season championship.
"It's a really good feeling in my first year here," he said. "Being a part of a team that won the regular season championship—yeah, it's special."
Finding a Home
Leaving home isn't easy, especially as a teenager crossing an ocean. Davies said the transition was made easier by the people around him—especially the person he shares a room with every day.
"My roommate Toby, he's in the same situation as me," Davies said. "We both came over, leaving our families, friends, and our homes, and to go through it with him by my side has been really good. He's definitely been a big part."
The bond with his teammates extended beyond the locker room. From late-night conversations to early-morning training sessions, Davies said he found a family away from home—one that pushed him, supported him, and celebrated with him.
"I'm just really proud to be part of this team," he said.
Choosing Friends University
Davies said he knew Friends was the right fit after his first conversations with the coaching staff. The vision they shared—and the environment they described—matched exactly what he was looking for.
"After calls with Coach Cal, Bryan, and Luke, the facilities are amazing and their vision is something I could really get behind," he said. "I see myself playing here, and what they wanted to do this season—and what we have done this season—is exactly why I came here."
He added that the academic side of Friends University played a big role in his decision, too.
"It's a really good school here," Davies said.
The combination of a strong program, a clear plan, and a place where he felt he belonged made the move from England feel less daunting—and the results on the field have only confirmed that choice.
Looking Ahead
With the regular season title secured, the Falcons have their eyes on even bigger goals. Davies said the team is focused on one thing as they head into the postseason.
"We're looking to win the tournament," he said. "Hopefully we can do that, and I feel like we've got a good shot at getting a good run in nationals as well."
For Davies, it's all part of the journey he envisioned when he first said yes to Friends University—the chance to compete at a high level, to grow alongside teammates who feel like family, and to chase championships.
"I'm just really proud to be part of this team," he said.
Davies and the top-seeded Falcons begin postseason play with a KCAC tournament quarterfinal matchup tonight (Nov. 3) against eighth-seeded Kansas Wesleyan University at 7 pm at Adair-Austin Stadium.
