Super Steven- Athlete of the Week

Steven Shelley is the spotlight player of the week. Photo by Eno Lmo-Mainoo

By Eno Lomo-Mainoo

Steven Shelley, number 18 of the Waldorf’s men’s soccer team, was the spotlight athlete for leading the team in a 9-0 victory over Grace University with three goals and an assist to gain a seventh point. Shelley has scored six goals throughout the last four games. He also currently leads the team with 18 total points, scoring eight goals and adding two assists on the season.

Shelley, originally from Elko, Nevada, is a senior and criminal justice major. He started playing soccer at the age of four because his mother wanted to channel the excessive energy he had into a sport. He plays Right Wing on the field and enjoys the fact that soccer challenges one’s thinking on the field. He also likes the connection he has with fellow team members. Shelley however, dislikes that soccer involves a lot of running.

Hoping to go professional, Shelley is thinking about playing for Real Salt Lake,  a soccer team in the US that hails from Salt Lake, Utah. His favorite soccer team is Liverpool, which his favorite soccer player, Steven Gerrard, formerly played for. Shelley’s role model is his father.

“My father is a hard worker and never gives up,” Shelley said. He also added that his father used to think soccer was a girls’ sport until he (Shelley) began playing. His playing inspired his father to be a soccer coach.

Shelley loves Waldorf College for its small size, especially in the classrooms. He also enjoys how the students can get one on one attention with professors.

Damon Dennis, a friend and teammate of Shelley, described him as a “nice and outgoing person.” He also added that Shelley is a good leader on and off the field.

“Steven is a great and hardworking teammate on and off the field. ” Christian Alvarez, a friend and teammate, said.

“Never give up when times get hard,” Shelley said.

Soccer season is still ongoing and the players are still hopeful about reaching greater heights.