Anna Schuchardt is one of the new additions to the Golden Eagle women’s soccer team. Schuchardt is a freshman from Leawood, Kansas. She comes to John Brown University from Kansas City Christian School where she played soccer for four years. Schuchardt said she is working on balancing life, her nursing major and soccer.

“I chose John Brown University because I felt that God was really calling me to play soccer here,” Schuchardt said. “I came and visited the women’s soccer camp in the summer and talked to Kathleen, the women’s coach, and felt a peace about the school that I didn’t feel anywhere else I had visited.”

Schuchardt said her first season went well. “I grew a lot during the season spiritually, physically, and emotionally,” she said. “We ended up losing in the championship game, it was an amazing season that it hurt to watch end. The girls on the team are now family, and I would do anything for any one of them.”

Schuchardt is 5’2”, plays defense and wears the number 11. She played over 99 minutes her freshman year.

Schuchardt is the daughter of Bob and Terri Schuchardt and has a younger brother, Joe. Her family comes to most of the JBU home games. Because of her family’s close-knit bond, Schuchardt said college is a difficult adjustment.

“The hardest thing is being away from my family,” she said. “I miss having dinner with them, and even laughing at them. It has been a major adjustment, them not being a part of every aspect of my life, but it is good for me to grow.”

While adjusting to living without her family, Schuchardt said she has made many friends that make JBU feel more like home.

“I love hanging out with my friends and going on adventures,” Schuchardt said. “I also am really involved with Young Life. Young Life has been such a blessing. I have made relations with high schoolers and have been able to share the gospel with them. I also tutor at Siloam Springs High School, which has taught me a lot about kids and how they learn. My friends and I like to drive around and blast music. We also go to Fayetteville a lot. The soccer team is usually always doing something, so we are always hanging around with one another.”