freshman soccer player sure he can adjust to college game
By Jose Negron
For California University of Pennsylvania freshman Josh Hershey, 18, the transition from high school to college is a little more complex than that of the average student. Aside from proving himself in the classroom, Hershey is also focused on carving out a niche for himself on the school’s men’s soccer team.
Since beginning to learn the game at 4, Hershey, of Lancaster, has had success throughout his playing career. He earned First-Team All-County honors and served as a varsity starter for three years while playing at Manheim Central High School in Lancaster. Through all of this, Hershey’s love for the game clearly stands out, even after 14 years of playing.
“After gradually competing at a higher level, I find that the game opens doors for me,” Hershey said. “It has created most of the friendships I have. It always gives something to look forward to during a tough day.”
What also stands out about Hershey is his work ethic. To prepare for games in high school, Hershey would take part in lifting sessions, shooting drills and a cardio session known as “Insanity.” This insanity workout is a total body workout considered to be one of the most challenging, fast-paced training regimens on the market. Though his high school workouts helped him achieve greatness at that level, he knows the collegiate level is more intense and requires further dedication to the sport.
“The difference is, in high school, people played soccer because they liked soccer and wanted to play a sport,” Hershey said. “In college, people love soccer and have a passion for the game. Because of that, it becomes more intense in workouts.”
Through staying in shape and retaining a passion for the game, Hershey hopes to be able to withstand the challenges of collegiate soccer and prove himself on the pitch.
“Being new to a collegiate soccer team is tough,” Hershey said. “You have the pressure of proving your worth or showing how you got to the collegiate level, day in and day out. I give all I can to show that I belong at the level that I am trying to compete at.”
Another fan of Hershey’s happens to be his new head coach. Men’s soccer coach Emedin Sabic has been working with young soccer players, both men and women, for 10 years at Cal U, serving as an assistant with the women’s soccer program for three years and serving with the men’s program since 2010. From the moment he arrived on Campus, Sabic pegged Hershey as an impact-type player.
“It was obvious from the first pre-season session that he has a lot of potential to become a very good student-athlete at this level,” Sabic said. “So far, he has contributed minutes in every game this season and has done an excellent job. He is very coachable, meaning that he can process information very quickly and implement it into a game situation.”
The story of Hershey’s quest to become a key component to the success of the Cal U men’s soccer team also has a lot to do with family. In fact, Hershey said he had strongly considered Cal U ever since his brother Jon, 19, enrolled at the university last fall. While it’s clear the support of family means a lot to Josh, Jon said he too was thrilled to learn he’d be able to watch his brother continue his soccer career.
“It’s awesome to see him play at the college level,” Jon said. “He’s my brother and I want him to be successful. Being able to watch him during every home game is an incredible experience.”
Hershey is not the regular freshman at Cal U. Hard work, knowledge, and love of family are what drives the first-year soccer player to continue growing both on and off the field. After talking to those closest to Hershey, it’s clear they believe he has the confidence and willpower to achieve his goals.
“This summer he trained so incredibly hard,” Jon said. “I would often have to tell him that he was going to injure himself and should skip a workout, but he would continue to train hard every day. His work ethic is something that I have never seen before.”
Jose Negron is a senior at California University of Pennsylvania majoring in Journalism. To read more of Jose's pieces, go to josenegron.weebly.com
Since beginning to learn the game at 4, Hershey, of Lancaster, has had success throughout his playing career. He earned First-Team All-County honors and served as a varsity starter for three years while playing at Manheim Central High School in Lancaster. Through all of this, Hershey’s love for the game clearly stands out, even after 14 years of playing.
“After gradually competing at a higher level, I find that the game opens doors for me,” Hershey said. “It has created most of the friendships I have. It always gives something to look forward to during a tough day.”
What also stands out about Hershey is his work ethic. To prepare for games in high school, Hershey would take part in lifting sessions, shooting drills and a cardio session known as “Insanity.” This insanity workout is a total body workout considered to be one of the most challenging, fast-paced training regimens on the market. Though his high school workouts helped him achieve greatness at that level, he knows the collegiate level is more intense and requires further dedication to the sport.
“The difference is, in high school, people played soccer because they liked soccer and wanted to play a sport,” Hershey said. “In college, people love soccer and have a passion for the game. Because of that, it becomes more intense in workouts.”
Through staying in shape and retaining a passion for the game, Hershey hopes to be able to withstand the challenges of collegiate soccer and prove himself on the pitch.
“Being new to a collegiate soccer team is tough,” Hershey said. “You have the pressure of proving your worth or showing how you got to the collegiate level, day in and day out. I give all I can to show that I belong at the level that I am trying to compete at.”
Another fan of Hershey’s happens to be his new head coach. Men’s soccer coach Emedin Sabic has been working with young soccer players, both men and women, for 10 years at Cal U, serving as an assistant with the women’s soccer program for three years and serving with the men’s program since 2010. From the moment he arrived on Campus, Sabic pegged Hershey as an impact-type player.
“It was obvious from the first pre-season session that he has a lot of potential to become a very good student-athlete at this level,” Sabic said. “So far, he has contributed minutes in every game this season and has done an excellent job. He is very coachable, meaning that he can process information very quickly and implement it into a game situation.”
The story of Hershey’s quest to become a key component to the success of the Cal U men’s soccer team also has a lot to do with family. In fact, Hershey said he had strongly considered Cal U ever since his brother Jon, 19, enrolled at the university last fall. While it’s clear the support of family means a lot to Josh, Jon said he too was thrilled to learn he’d be able to watch his brother continue his soccer career.
“It’s awesome to see him play at the college level,” Jon said. “He’s my brother and I want him to be successful. Being able to watch him during every home game is an incredible experience.”
Hershey is not the regular freshman at Cal U. Hard work, knowledge, and love of family are what drives the first-year soccer player to continue growing both on and off the field. After talking to those closest to Hershey, it’s clear they believe he has the confidence and willpower to achieve his goals.
“This summer he trained so incredibly hard,” Jon said. “I would often have to tell him that he was going to injure himself and should skip a workout, but he would continue to train hard every day. His work ethic is something that I have never seen before.”
Jose Negron is a senior at California University of Pennsylvania majoring in Journalism. To read more of Jose's pieces, go to josenegron.weebly.com