By Owen Gotimer
LoCoSports Editor-in-Chief
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Ashburn (April 22, 2016) — Broad Run High School senior Nolan Poretz has made a commitment to continue his soccer career at Hartwick College beginning in the 2016-2017 academic year.
“Committing has given me some confidence on and off the field and has allowed me to clear my head from focusing on what college I want to go to,” the 5-foot-7 Poretz said. “This allowed me to focus more on soccer and school which has been very important to me and has allowed me to enjoy my senior year.”
Poretz’s focus on the field has helped the Broad Run Spartans to an 8-2-1 start in 2016. On April 21, Broad Run improved to 3-2 in Conference 14 with a win over Tuscarora.
“Playing for Broad Run has been an incredible experience. I have always been a fan of Broad Run soccer, and I specifically remember that on my thirteenth birthday I was a ball boy for the team,” Poretz said. “Being able to say I’m a captain this year is an incredible feeling as I remember looking up to those who were captains when I was younger and thinking that they were larger than life. I wanted to be them one day. Being able to say I’ve been to the state finals twice, and won it once, is also an incredible feeling. I look forward to the remainder of my senior season and hope many more great memories come of it.”
Having created soccer memories since he was just three years old — thanks to his brother Zach getting him involved in the game — Poretz mentioned he continues to play soccer because of the importance it has in his life.
“We would spend hours in our backyard playing and trying to get better. To this day, I still enjoy going out to kick a ball with him as well as watching Arsenal games with him,” Poretz said. “What keeps me motivated is that every time I step on to the field I want to get better. I love the game so I want to be the best I can be and am always looking to better myself.”
After graduating from Broad Run, Poretz will need to continue to improve to fight for playing time with the Division I Hawks. Led by sixth-year head coach John Scott, Hartwick finished 11-6-3 in 2015 including a 5-0-0 mark in the Sun Belt Conference. After winning the conference tournament championship, the Hawks fell in the first round of the NCAA tournament to Dartmouth in overtime.
“I am a technical player that can find the right pass,” said Poretz who plays club for Loudoun 97 Red. “I have also turned into a goal scorer this year on my club and high school teams and am looking to translate this to the collegiate level at Hartwick.”
On top of playing at the collegiate level, Poretz will get the opportunity to study at a small school in Central New York.
“I chose Hartwick because of the educational opportunities that are offered there,” Poretz said. “I also liked the town of Oneonta when I visited. Oneonta has two colleges within its small borders, so the town feels like a college town and I like that.”
