Justin Hager '18 Recruiting Profile

My mother and father introduced me to the sport when I was five years old.  That was all they needed to do! I fell in love with the sport instantly and took to it like a fish in water.  From the beginning, my father encouraged me to always be a team player and to do what is best for my team.  I have played year-round since the age of 7 and have not wanted to do any other sport, even though I was asked to be a kicker for my school's varsity football team.  

I entered a school system that was only a few years in existence so the soccer program was not really developed yet, but it allowed me the opportunity to play varsity as an eighth grader.  My team was young and had a difficult time gaining success my first two years, but I would not change a thing.  The struggle has taught me the value of commitment, teamwork, sacrifice and leadership.  In my junior year,  we made it to the second round of playoffs for the first time, so I am proud of what we have accomplished in such a short time.  I believe I have the determination and tenacity to compete at the college level and that my experiences and work-ethic has enabled me to make an immediate impact on your program.  I am also an early academic qualifier with the NCAA.

“Success is not final, failure is not fatal: it is the courage to continue that counts.”– Winston Churchill