The University of Tulsa has progressed in leaps and bounds the last several seasons, rising to be one of the top teams in the country. Currently the Hurricanes are undefeated in the season at 6-0 and #2 in the TopDrawerSoccer.com Tournament 48 ranking. A big part of its current success is junior forward Austin Neil.

Originally from Broken Arrow, Oklahoma, Neil finished the 2009 season on top of the Conference USA’s leaderboards in goals (13) and points (29). Now just six games into the 2010 season, Neil has already found the back of the net 7 times, accumulating 14 points.

“I am very excited about it because the last few years I have gotten off to a slower start than this year,” Neil said. “It’s been different for me and it’s been exciting. Hopefully I can keep that going and keep on performing.”

It is Neil’s ability to create chances in a variety of ways that has led to his continuous success. He has a great knack in pressurizing defenses and has the ability of creating himself space inside the 18-yard box, according to Tulsa Head Coach Tom McIntosh.

“Austin has great work ethic, which I think is underappreciated. He works to get into good positions and he has good discipline, not wandering all over the field,” McIntosh said. “The reality is that the majority of our goals are scored inside the 18-yard box, and he is very good and brave in getting in that area.”

Austin’s transition between seasons must seem like a breeze to some, but in reality, there was a setback during the middle of the summer. Austin broke his foot and was sidelined for several weeks.

“I broke my foot in the beginning of July and before I coming back, I had six weeks to heal,” Austin explained. “I worked with the trainers everyday just to get in the best shape I could. I wasn’t in game shape when the season started but it didn’t take long to get there.”

Apparently it only took about a half to get into game shape. During Tulsa’s first game of the season against Seattle University, coming in as a substitute, Austin notched a hat trick in a 13-minute span, leading the Hurricanes to a 3-1 win.

“I did a lot of offseason work and was able to work harder and come back at a better shape than before,” he said. “With the experience of the last two years under my belt, I have just been ready to go, instead of easing my way into the season.”

The impact that Austin has had on Tulsa’s team was something that Coach McIntosh was hoping for when he recruited him. However the magnitude of his contribution has come to a surprise.

“We didn’t know he was going to do that well. We knew he was going to give us a different presence that we had up that point,” McIntosh explained. “We didn’t have anyone who has been a lethal threat in the ar. He has given a different element to what we had in previous seasons.”

However Austin doesn’t take credit for all his success. His partner incrime, Ashley McInnes, has four goals and three assists. Austin recognizes that Ashley’s contribution, along with the rest of the squad, takes a huge load of weight off his shoulders.

“We actually play together up top and it’s a great pressure reliever knowing that I don’t have to step up every game to score. We’ve had great performances from everybody this year, the older guys as well as the freshmen,” Austin said. “I think it’s a great thing to have a great team around you.

Something with which Coach McIntosh also agrees.

“We didn’t play Ashley and Austin together up front last year,” McIntosh said. “I think having someone with Ashley’s awareness and understanding is very helpful for Austin.”

For all his success gained in the collegiate soccer world, Austin has a deeper side to him outside the confines of the game. Austin is a very religious individual, and even though he still has one more year of eligibility, his religious beliefs will remove him from Tulsa for two years, as he completes his missionary obligation.

“I am a religious person. I am willing to put my career on hold to take two years of my life to serve the Lord and do the things I believe are right,” Austin said. “The coaches have been very supportive and I want to come back to play my senior year here at Tulsa.”

Even though Austin recognizes the gamble of taking a two-year hiatus, he still grasps onto the hope that after he’s finished his career at Tulsa, he will play professional soccer. For now Austin and McIntosh will take advantage of the success this current year, and then hope for the best when Austin returns.

“I give Austin a lot of credit for leaving school in December,” McIntosh said. “He still has the goal to play professional soccer but understands it will be difficult. I think that the opportunity will still be there when he comes back.”