NEWBERRY — Quintin Eisner, Nick McKee, and Daniel Reyes are three Newberry College soccer players whose choices in majors are as diverse as their favorite foods. Here’s a look at the three:
Hailing from Sheboygan, Wisc., Quintin Eisner enters his second season with the Wolves. Growing up, Eisner has worked extremely hard to get where he is today.
“My childhood wasn’t necessarily the easiest, which made me work harder for everything I have right now. It is something I carry around with everything I do,” he said.
Prior to Newberry, he played at North High School where he lettered for the boys’ soccer team. Eisner recorded nine goals and eight assists in 23 games at North High School. He was selected to the first Team All-Conference, first Team All-Region, and first Team All-Area.
Eisner, a business administration and sports management major, decided to attend Newberry because of the continued interest head coach Bryce Cooper had in him.
“There were many factors that made me decide to come to Newberry. I’ve known Coach Cooper for about two and a half years now. He has been following my career since his previous position,” Eisner said. “He has had so much faith in me. Also, the chance to be an important part of a team that is trying to turn around and go the right direction is always a great challenge.”
Eisner, whose favorite food is spaghetti, recorded his first collegiate goal against North Greenville when he shot a bullet over the keeper for a goal in a 2-1 win to give Newberry their first 2-0 start since 2007. Last season he tallied 927 minutes and started in eight of 17 games. He finished the season with three goals and two assists.
“My main thing is to take everything step by step and to focus on technique. You can never think too far ahead,” said Eisner regarding his training and preparation for each match up.
As far as his greatest athletic achievement, Eisner doesn’t have specific moment that stands out. “I prefer to think about the future and what I hope to one day achieve. Winning the conference title and hopefully a national championship before I graduate is a goal of mine,” he said.
In his free time, he enjoys hanging out with his friends, family, and girlfriend. One of his favorite hobbies is making teammate Claus Lehland cry after beating him in FIFA. His favorite sports team is FC Barcelona while his favorite athlete is Barcelona’s own Lionel Messi. As a child he aspired to be a professional soccer player.
Nick McKee, a sophomore from Odenton, Md., enters his second season with the Wolves.
Prior to Newberry, McKee captained the IFK under-21 men’s side in the Maryland Major Soccer League semi-pro league as well as the IFK under-19 boy’s team in Baltimore. He led his team in scoring the last two years.
McKee credits his family for the man he has grown to be. He decided to attend Newberry because of the campus, people, and soccer program are unlike anywhere else around. He is an international business and digital marketing major.
In his free time he enjoys making feather bow ties and writing. His favorite food is teriyaki chicken. As a child he aspired to be a musician in a band.
“I like to keep it competitive and chippy with the opposing team just to push their buttons and have fun,” he said regarding his success in a game.
His greatest athletic achievement is scoring the winning goal over the summer in Sweden in the 80th minute.
To prepare for a match up McKee tapes his right wrist. Manchester United F.C. is his favorite sports team, while Manchester’s own Zlatan Ibrahimovic is his favorite professional player.
Making his way from Guayaquil-Ecuador, Daniel Reyes begins his second season with the Wolves. Reyes is an international studies major.
Prior to Newberry, Reyes most recently played for the internationally recognized River Plate Ecuador. Before that, he played for his school team Ecomundo where he won three cup championships and was one of the leading point getter’s.
He decided to attend Newberry because of his family and love for soccer. In his first season with the Wolves he started in 11 of 17 games and ranked second on the team in assists (2). Reyes recorded his first collegiate goal in the 4-2 win against Catawba on Sept. 20.
“I think about all the things my family has done for me to study here,” he said regarding his keys to be successful.
His greatest athletic achievement is scoring a hat-trick to give his team the victory. Reyes is dead set on becoming a professional soccer player in the future. His favorite athlete is Cristiano Ronaldo and his favorite team is C.S. Emelec. His favorite food is tacos.