TEN QUESTIONS WITH...

I came to UB via Coach (John) Astudillo, he came over to England and saw me at a combine in Manchester. He saw me play two games and he asked me if I wanted to come over here and play. The college experience has been very rewarding so far, I’ve met a lot of new people and I’ve really enjoyed my time here so far. When I left I was almost totally focused on soccer but in my time here it has kind of leveled out a bit. I feel like I’ve become more well-rounded.

2. What was the transition from England to UB like in terms of soccer (or football)?

Its been relatively smooth I’d say. Back home in England people aren’t really sure about American soccer and what kind of level it is. But now with (David) Beckham coming over here that has increased the media for the sport. But I just came over here open-minded, hoping that it would be a good level and it has worked out well.

3. The Bulls play all of their home matches on “sportexe momentum” turf at UB Stadium, what is it like playing home matches on turf and does that give you an advantage over opponents that traditionally play on grass?

(The turf) definitely gives us an advantage because we get to practice on it to get used to it a little bit. Personally, I don’t like it as much as grass, I think the ball goes out of bounds too much. But we have had some good wins playing on the turf and maybe the field has something to do with that.

4. If you could play any other sport at UB what would it be and why?

Maybe football, because I think some of my buddies back home get a bit of a giggle out of seeing me wearing all of the pads and the helmet.

5. You currently sit ninth in both career goals and career points in school history, what is your preparation or routine before games?

The day before I like to make sure that I get myself hydrated because we sweat a lot out there. Then I try to make sure I get a pasta meal before the game. Then I like to listen to music before the game, nothing too crazy, maybe something like English techno or something. Then I just try to go out on the field focused and it usually works itself out when you get out there.

6. What has been your favorite moment so far as a student-athlete at UB?

It ended in tragedy but my sophomore year we made the MAC Finals, we were so close to winning, we lost on penalty kicks in the final to Akron. That’s probably my most memorable moment, knowing that we were that close.

7. The past two seasons your team has been within a game of winning the MAC Tournament and getting a bid to the NCAAs, what do you think it will take to make that next step this year?

With the amount of new players we have this year, we have 14 new guys, its going to take team harmony and cooperation amongst the team. I feel like we have a good team spirit already and I think this year is the most talented we have ever been, so the talent and the cooperation mixed together are what will do it for us.

8. What did you do this summer?

This summer I played for a PDL (Premier Development League) team. I played in Ocean City, New Jersey for two months and then I came back to UB and worked the summer soccer camps. Then I went back to England with my girlfriend for two weeks before the start of preseason.

The PDL is really good, the standard of play is probably the highest that you can play while keeping your college eligibility. We played against some really good teams and it gives you a lot of exposure for possibly playing in the pros after college.

9. Does being a senior change the way you approach things headed into this year?

I think that this year I have no limitations. I know that this could be my last season so I don’t want to look back and have any regrets and say that “this could have happened or that could have happened.” I’m not going to let anything hold me back.

10. How has preseason been going for the team and what are your expectations for the upcoming season?

The expectations are very high. Amongst the team, everyone really believes that this group of players has the potential to win the MAC and get a bid into the NCAA tournament. Preseason has gone well, we’ve worked hard, we had three practices a day so the guys are tired but we’ve slowed down a little bit now with the season about to start. Everybody is just ready to get that first game underway.