Clarksville, Ark.-Hard work and determination define who Travis Leach is, on and off the pitch. Leach, the reigning American Southwest Conference Men's Soccer Defensive Player of the Year, was brilliant at center back and team captain, leading the Eagles to the semi-finals of the ASC Tournament in 2014 while racking up numerous individual accolades. Leach is much more than one of the top players in the conference though. According to Head Coach Matt Torok, he epitomizes the program and its standards.
   
"He is not just a student that came here to play soccer," said Torok, who was named the 2014 ASC Coach of the Year. "He chose Ozarks to be both a student and an athlete. He exemplifies the type of student-athlete I want in my program. He works hard on the field and in the classroom, and his teammates recognize that."

Away from the pitch, Leach has been active in the Student-Athlete Advisory Committee and will serve as its President for the 2015-2016 academic year. In the classroom, he is a two-time member of the ASC All-Academic Team and made the NSCAA Scholar All-South Region Team last season. A Mathematics major, Leach enters his senior season as one the top students in the Sciences and Mathematics Division.

"He is the complete NCAA Division III student-athlete," said Torok. "He is just one of those kids that has a will and determination on and off the field."  

While Leach is unassuming by nature, his play is anything but that. Leach's tenacious ability to defend and consistent play are what sets him apart, according to Torok.

"He is always in the right defensive position and rarely makes a mistake," said Torok. "His consistency is so high. That is why he is brilliant at his position. There is never really a drop off day to day, even in training. You know the effort you will get from Travis Leach. He does exactly what we need him to do as a center back. He is a rock back there."

Leach, a senior from Denton, Texas, produced a season to remember in 2014. The 5-foot-11, 165-pound Leach was named Conference Defensive Player of the Year as well as First Team All-Conference. He spearheaded the Eagles' defense to a conference-leading seven shutouts and helped Ozarks own one of the lowest goals against averages (1.21) in the conference and qualify for the postseason.

"He is a physical, dominant defender," said Torok. "He rises to another level that other players can't get reach in regards to his frame. He never loses a head ball at his size. That is what is special about him."

Leach's offensive prowess is also noticeable on the field. He has an uncanny ability to score goals. In 2014, he netted two goals, while recording one assist.    

"If I had two Travis Leach's I would put one up top," said Torok. "He is really good in the air. He has a lot of natural goal scoring ability with his head. That is why we push him up on every set piece. He has scored some timely goals for us."

Leach has proven to be a clutch player, too. Two moments stand out for Torok during last season, both of which occurred in important conference matches.

"Last year in the Texas-Tyler match, he headed in a key goal," said Torok. "Against Hardin-Simmons at home, he put us up 1-0 on a set piece to provide momentum. That is how he leads the team. He leads by a tackle, he wins a ball, he keeps a ball out of harm's way, or he scores a timely goal."

The list of outstanding men's soccer players from the university's most successful athletic program is lengthy. Since its inception in 1996, the program has produced countless All-Conference players, 15 All-Region performers and a handful of conference Players of the Year. Leach has already etched his name among the school's best.

"He is the best defensive player I've coached here," said Torok, who will enter his seventh year in the program. "He is really athletic on the soccer field. His determination and will to make the team succeed is why he succeeds."