By Spencer DuPuis
LoCoSports Staff Writer
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Leesburg (June 6, 2016) — Heritage High School junior Ryan Pyszka has made an early verbal commitment to continue his soccer career at Division I Binghamton University starting in the 2017-2018 school year.
“It’s very relaxing to be committed, now I don’t have to focus on finding the right college,” the 6-foot-1 Pyszka said. “It is nice to know that I already have my future planned so far.”
Formally known as The State University of New York at Binghamton, the Bearcats are coached by Paul Marco — who will enter his 16th season at the helm of the program when Pyszka arrives in 2017.
“I chose Binghamton because I wanted to go somewhere where I’d know I’d get playing time and where I can continue to get better,” Pyszka said. “I also wanted to go to a good school to further my education.”
Upon graduating in 2017, Pyszka will join Heritage Pride and Loudoun 98 Red teammate Kosta Nika in making the move to New York and playing soccer for Bearcats.
“I feel that our friendship will only grow — we’ve been teammates for the past three years so add next year and the four years after,” Pyszka said. “With the possibility of being roommates, our friendship will only grow.”
The center back mentioned that he hopes he can add a lot to the Bearcats including his leadership on and off the field.
“I’m hoping to add my size, presence, passing ability and also my leadership,” Pyszka said.
The Pride soccer team had a great season — that included winning the regular season Conference 21B title and a berth in the VHSL 4A West region tournament. They won 16 games and the leadership of Pyszka — a co-captain — along with senior captain Andres Villalon propelled them deep into the postseason.
“This year has been a lot different than last year because this was our first time being in the conference finals, the first time we’ve won [the regular season]conference title and also it will be my first time in the region tournament,” Pyszka said.
The first team All-Conference 21B midfielder mentioned that his family got him into the sport when he was a child.
“I play soccer because I just like playing, it makes me happy,” said Pyszka who plays his club soccer for nationally ranked No. 3 Loudoun 98 Red. “My family got me started when I was younger and always wanting to get better keeps me motivated and I love the competitiveness of the sport.”
