Hennegan nets goal in intercollegiate men’s soccer debut

[September 21, 2020 – Harmon, Guam] The transition to intercollegiate men’s soccer started smoothly for Guam’s Micah Hennegan.

Hennegan, a 2020 graduate of Harvest Christian Academy currently attending Bob Jones University in Greenville, South Carolina, contributed a goal in the Bruins’ 9-0 season-opening win over Toccoa Falls College Sept. 12.

Hennegan

“My first intercollegiate match was an overall great experience,” said Hennegan, who is wearing jersey No. 21 for the season. “Coming off the bench, I was eager to make an impact in the game. I came on to the field very confident. Guam Football Association has prepared me very well for intercollegiate competition.

“Scoring a goal in my debut game was an amazing feeling. I know that I am not only representing my school, but also my island and family. My parents have sacrificed a lot to bring me overseas and I want to make them proud,” Hennegan added.

Hennegan earned 53 minutes on the pitch as a substitute in his debut, taking two shots and scoring his first goal of the season in the 42^nd minute off an assist from teammate Charlie Barkman, the Bruins Web site states.

“I am very pleased with the news of Micah’s success in his debut in intercollegiate soccer,” said Sang Hoon Kim, Guam Football Association Technical Director. “He is adapting well to his new team and with his passion and personal drive to continue improving, he will only get better as the season progresses. We at GFA are all proud of his accomplishments so far, and I am confident that he still has much more to contribute to the team, and to Guam when he is called up for international duty.”

Hennegan is one of 13 freshmen listed on the Bruins’ 35-player roster and one of 15 listed midfielders, according to the Bruins Web site. Bob Jones University is a provisional NCAA Div. III member, while continuing to maintain its affiliation with the National Christian College Athletic Association (NCCAA), the Bruins Web site states.

Hennegan also played in the team’s second match of the season, earning 28 minutes on the pitch as a substitute against Carolina University on Sept. 19.

The team will next travel to Alabama to take on Faulkner University at 5 p.m. Tuesday Alabama time (8 a.m. Wednesday, Guam time). The match will be live streamed at https://www.youtube.com/FaulknerSportsNetwork the Bruins Web site states.

The Bruins’ home matches are available to view via Internet Live Stream at https://livestream.com/bju The team’s next home match will be played 7 p.m. Sept. 26 South Carolina time (9 a.m., Sept. 27 Guam time) against Trinity Baptist College. The season continues through to Oct. 31, followed by the NCCAA Div. II South Region and the NCCAA Div. II National Tournaments. A full schedule of matches is available online at https://www.bjubruins.com/sports/mens-soccer/schedule

“On Guam, I mostly played a striker position – the No. 9 – but playing out here, I am a midfielder,” Hennegan said. “One goal I have for myself is to become more familiar with my surroundings and playmaking abilities in the central midfield.

“Most importantly, my number one goal is to glorify God every time I step on the pitch,” Hennegan added.

At the international level, Hennegan accepted his first call-up to the Matao, Guam Men’s National Team, on Sept. 10 last year in the team’s FIFA World Cup Qatar 2022™ Qualifier of the Asian Zone Round 2 home match against the Philippines.

At the youth international level, Hennegan was called up to the U16 National Team for the AFC U16 Championship Qualifier in 2017 and to the U19 National Team for the AFC U19 Championship Qualifier last year. He was a starting player in all of Guam’s matches in the two tournaments.

In 2018, Hennegan scored the match-tying goal against the Northern Mariana Islands in that year’s Marianas Cup, sending both teams to a penalty kick shootout. Guam prevailed in the shootout 5-3. Hennegan began playing internationally at the U13 level after accepting a call-up to compete for Guam at the EAFF U13 Youth Tournament in 2015.

Domestically, Hennegan played for Manhoben Lalahi in the Budweiser Soccer League’s Premier Division. Hennegan played for the Tigers and Bank of Guam Strykers in the Aloha Maid Minetgot Cup Elite Youth Soccer League as a youth player.

In his high school senior year, he helped the Harvest Christian Academy capture the 2019-2020 IIAAG Boys High School Soccer League title and at the conclusion of the regular season, was named as the IIAAG All-Island First Team Utility player.