On Friday, April 16, Central Bucks East senior Dan Christiansen signed a letter of intent to accept a soccer scholarship to Hofstra University.
Dan Christiansen – Hofstra University (Soccer)
Major: Undecided but interested in political science and international business
Final list of colleges: Hofstra, Drexel, University of Massachusetts, University of Vermont
Reasons for choosing Hofstra: “It was definitely the school itself. I went up there for the first time, and I just fell in love with it, with the whole atmosphere around it. There’s just a ton going on all the time.
“The coach is really similar to the coach of my club team in Yardley. He’s real similar in style, and he’s from England, right outside where my coach is from. With his style, I feel as though I can just fit in there. He saw me as a player who can definitely play and start. It’s going to be hard. They have a really young team, but he said everything is up in the air. I have to come in and prove I can play.”
What are some of your memories playing at CB East? “I remember when I was a sophomore it was the first time the team had been to states in a while, and we made it. It was the best feeling, and then making it back the last three years was great. I can’t explain it. A lot of people never see that. Coach Gorni always says, ‘Some people are lucky to get there one time.’ I got there three times, and it was a great experience.”
What has coach Gorni meant to you? “He’s meant a lot. He put me in the position that I could play my best and show my best at all times.”
When did you start thinking about playing soccer at the collegiate level? “When I switched to YMS when I was 13 or 14 years old – the team was always progressing, always playing in the best tournaments and the best showcases. When I went to that team, I had a goal of one day being able to play Division One soccer. Fifteen out of 17 guys on my team are going Division One, and all 17 are playing in college. A lot of kids on my team committed way before I did, some of them a year ago. I was late this year – past the signing date, but it finally came, and I’m so relieved.”
How does it feel to have your dream become a reality? “It feels great because there was a lot of stress. It took a lot of time. I always thought I would be doing it when everyone else was doing it on my team, but it didn’t happen. Luckily, I had a good tournament where the Hofstra coach saw me, and it went from there.”
Coach Mike Gorni says: “He was a three-year starter on a team that was in the top five in the state each year. He was a flank midfielder for his first two years, and his senior year we needed him to become our central back, our central defender, and he just did an unbelievably great job this year. That position is the leadership role for the team in terms of organization.
“Everybody that has seen Danny play knows it is basically his quickness, speed and tenacity that really separates him from the bunch. He plays at a high level all year round and is going to be a Division One player next year.
“Danny is never going to be outworked by anyone on the field, and he just loves the game. In terms of soccer, he’s unbelievably passionate, dedicated and all the superlatives you could throw in his direction. Certainly if you watch him play – that’s what comes out the most. He plays with a great amount of passion, dedication and commitment, and everything he has done over the past several years has made him into a great player.”
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