During the past four years at Albertus Magnus College it has truly been an honor to be a part of the men’s soccer program. Every year there is a rush of emotions in the start of preseason: one being excited to finally get together with the entire team for the 
upcoming season; and then again being filled with that unnerving feeling of the unknown journey ahead.
Our goal, as a program every year, is to obtain the GNAC title which allows us direct advancement into the NCAA tournament. The advantage of coming to campus prior to the start of school does settle some nerves, especially for the incoming freshmen. With an advantage of 8-10 days of being on campus it gives you the chance to get a feel for the school, interact with other athletes and essential staff members. This allows student-athletes to create an unbreakable bond. Coming into this unique situation shows that you have a team behind you and there are other people just like you on campus going through the same thing, and you are never alone. Between the rigorous amounts of training it shows you how strong willed you are as a person. It also shows you the bond you create within your team, your new family.
Going on to be seniors, we have been through so much within ourselves and our new family. We have made friendships that will last a lifetime and the memories that will never fade. We all came in with a passion for the game we all love and we are going to be leaving with something worth so much more. Being a student-athlete is so much more than playing in a game and having practices, it gives a student the upper hand to get ready for the real world. Balancing school and a sport and, for some, add in a job. If that is something we can do for four years there isn’t much we can’t accomplish when it’s all said and done.
Matthew Stoll ’18 & David DeOliveira ’18