One of Hot Springs' own is making a mark in the semi-professional soccer community with his performance with the National Premier Soccer League's Little Rock Rangers this season.
Alex Guadron, who made a significant mark in Arkansas high school soccer as Erick, is standing tall for the Rangers, even earning the NPSL National Player of the Week honors in June after scoring four goals in a 4-3 win over Demize NPSL out of Springfield, Mo.
"I work hard, and it really paid off for me," Guadron said of winning the award. "We play like a family. I remember that game; I got four goals that night. They called me the next day and told me I got it."
The striker leads the Heartland League with nine goals this season, according to the NPSL's website. Franck Tayou, of FC Wichita, and Gustavo Vargas, of Tulsa Athletic, are second with six goals apiece.
Guadron had a strong freshman season at Yavapai College this year as well on Arizona, finding the back of the net 28 times in 24 games, starting eight of those. His 28 goals placed him fifth in the National Junior College Athletic Association, of which Yavapai is a member, and he ranked sixth in shooting with 90 shots on the season.
"It's amazing," he said of his collegiate career to this point. "I went to Yavapai, and it was amazing. We went to nationals, and we lost in the semis. It was nice to be able to go there."
Guadron still lives here in the Spa City, but he travels to Little Rock daily for training.
"This league is basically to keep college players in shape," he said of the NPSL, commonly regarded as the fourth tier of the United States' soccer pyramid. "They keep us ready to play again (in the fall). I play here because it is close to my house and my family. It helps me keep in shape and keep up my training. It keeps me strong."
Guadron picked up an assist Wednesday for the Rangers as the team won its first-ever playoff game, defeating Tulsa Athletic, 1-0.
"It was kind of a hard game," he said. "They are a good team. We were both fighting to get into the championship game. I was playing striker, but they always had two to three guys behind me."
The Rangers travel to Kansas today to face FC Wichita in the Heartland Conference finals, the winner of which will go to the NPSL South Region semifinals on July 17.
"It's just amazing," Guadron said of the win. "I'm so excited to get to score and help the team win games. I think we need one more win to get to where we want to be."
Sports on 07/14/2018