Eric Collins, finance major and senior forward on the men’s soccer team, has contributed a lot on and off the field in his four years at Cabrini College. Since the age of 3, soccer has been part of Collins’ life. Playing over 70 games and scoring 21 goals for the Cabrini men’s soccer team during his four years with the team, Collins has come a long way.
Growing up in Wallingford, Pa., Collins attended Strath Haven High School, where he not only participated in soccer but was a four-year lacrosse player as well.
Considering Collins is the oldest of three, he finds himself setting an example for his younger brother who also plays soccer. Collins played club soccer for Nether in West Chester between the ages of 10 and 16 and moved on to play for the West Chester United between the ages of 16 and 20.
Attending Philadelphia Union games, hanging out with friends and working at the Dixon Center are just a few of the many things Collins does outside of school.
“I’ve been to a bunch of Union games. It’s awesome to see people I have met playing soccer and known for a while play for the Philadelphia Union,” Collins said.
The size of Cabrini’s campus, as well as the soccer team’s years of success, helped Collins to determine which school he would attend.
“I visited Cabrini and really enjoyed the campus atmosphere and, along with the soccer team’s winning approach, I came upon my decision to attend Cabrini College,” Collins said. “The campus is small but I loved playing and getting to know people the past four years.”
Throughout his four years at Cabrini, Collins has created so many memories that will stay with him forever.
“Being conference champs my freshman year was an exciting experience, but winning the conference championship on our home field sophomore year took that excitement to a whole new level,” Collins said.
His sophomore year, he earned CSAC First-Team honors and was named to CSAC First-Team his junior year.
Hurting his ankle during preseason for the start of his senior year was a challenge he had to overcome.
“It was pretty upsetting because I couldn’t play 100 percent my first few games,” Collins said. “Good thing I had fully recovered before we played Eastern.”
On Saturday, Sept. 17, the men’s soccer team defeated rival Eastern University by a score of 2-1 at Edith Robb Dixon Field.
“Scoring the second goal in the 77th minute and hearing the raging fans is a memory that I could never forget,” Collins said. “Playing in front of all those people was pretty cool and winning was even better.”
“Eric is a hard worker and plays with a lot of energy,” Anthony Girolamo, senior defender, said. “He is a great leader, mentally tough and expects a lot out of himself.”
“As a team we are a close group and as a senior we have known each other for four years. Being together every day, it’s hard not to get along,” Collins said.
The seniors on the men’s soccer team influence team members to work hard and be committed to team goals.
“Every athlete wants to end their senior year career leaving it all out on the field,” Collins said. “Winning the CSAC title this year is a goal I would like to accomplish.”
