Q & A with Jesse Herman of the Geneva College men's soccer team
Editor’s note: Jesse Herman, a Greencastle-Antrim High School Class of 2010 graduate, was part of the Cinderella season of the Geneva College men’s soccer team. A starting outside defender for the Golden Tornados, Herman and his team advanced to the NCCAA (National Christian College Athletic Association) National Championship game in Kissimmee, Fla. Geneva came up just short in the NCCAA Division I title game by a 2-1 final against top-seeded California Baptist. Herman answered the following questions posed to him by the Echo Pilot about the inspired run:
Q: What is your major?
A: My major is engineering.
Q: What was the key to the team advancing to the national title game?
A: I think the key to our team advancing into the NCCAA national title game was sticking together and being there for one another. One of the core values on our team is brotherhood and I believe that it played an important part in us having success. Other teams we faced had individual players who they seemed to rely on but our team depended on everyone to accomplish our goals.
Q: What was the journey like?
A: The journey was definitely a memorable one. Overtime wins throughout the season, beating Malone in a penalty shoot out in the regional final and becoming a national qualifier, and our 2-1 overtime win against Judson University in the NCCAA national semi-final are definitely a few unforgettable memories.
Q: How did you feel about your role during the season and in the playoffs?
A: This past season I was given a new role on the team as outside right back. My freshman year I played center midfield. I felt that it was my role this season to learn my position the way that reflects who we are as a soccer team and ultimately become the best outside back that I could be.
Q: What is special about this team?
A: The brotherhood, the love of the game, but first and foremost the desire to honor and glorify God with the gifts and abilities He has given us and the desire to put Him first. Also, I think what makes this team special is having coaches who push us to become better athletes and also to become better Christian men.
Q: Did you ever imagine that soccer would take you to a national title situation?
A: I never imagined soccer would take me to a title situation. This is the first time I have been a part of something like this. It has been an unreal experience.
Q: You still have two more years left at Geneva. What are the goals of the team in the future?
A: The goals of the team in the future are to continue to get better individually and as a team and to continue serving God.