Alejandro Robles, James Thomas, Fabian Lutz (Photo by Meghan Murphy)
Going the Distance
11/18/2019 8:08:00 PM | Men's Soccer
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By Leah Wyner Special to UNHWildcats.com
Durham is a quiet New England town that might be small, but for three members of the University of New Hampshire men's soccer team it had what they needed to not only leave their homes, but their own countries, in pursuit of their exciting futures. For graduate students Alejandro Robles (Monterey, Mexico), James Thomas (Woking, England) and Fabian Lutz (Bad Gröenenbach, Germany), the goal to not only play soccer at a high level, but also earn their master's degrees, led these three to UNH.
And all three starters have been big reasons why UNH has posted its best record in school history (14-1-3), won their second straight America East Championship and will appear in their third straight NCAA Tournament as UNH will take on Fairleigh Dickson in the First Round of the NCAA Tournament on Thursday, Nov. 21 at 6 p.m. Robles, Thomas and Lutz have been big factors this season in UNH's success (Photo by Meghan Murphy)
For all three of the graduate students, the balance of academic and athletic opportunities that UNH offers put this school on the radar for them.
For Thomas, who is a captain, all of the qualities about the school just seemed to line up for him.
"When I learned about the school, with both the academic side of it as well as what we do as Division I athletes, I realized it had everything I was looking for. The opportunity to get that master's degree in business administration is something a lot of people don't get, so I'm very grateful for the opportunity."
Getting his master's degree was the most important part of school searching, but the chance to play his favorite sport with a dedicated team made it that much better. James Thomas is one of the captains of the team
"I felt like it was the right time to come here," said Thomas. "The program has been on the rise for a few years; and it just seemed like everything was coming together. The coaching, the boys, the hunger the team has, and the atmosphere just make it a great place to play soccer."
While working to earn a master's degree and playing a Division I sport at the same time can seem like a big job, the people and the moments make it all worth it for Thomas.
"My favorite thing about playing at Wildcat Stadium are the fans. They're at every game, supporting us; they're really fun to play in front of."
Lutz, who earned First Team All-America East accolades this season, jumped at the possibility of higher education at UNH, as well as the team cohesion that helped him feel at home.
"Being able to get my master's degree is the most important reason I came here. In Germany it takes two years to earn a master's degree, whereas in the U.S. it only takes one, so that was a big deal for me."
Along with the education, Lutz also feels that this soccer team is something that makes UNH special.
"It's the perfect combination of everything- the players, the fans and the education. Our team has a great mix of people, and it works well to create a good balance throughout the team." Fabian Lutz received First Team All-America East honors
When this good blend of players and qualities comes together to play at Wildcat Stadium, Lutz realizes how happy he is that he has found this school.
"My favorite part about Wildcat Stadium is being on home turf in front of our fans. The familiarity and support makes us play with confidence."
Robles, who was named the America East Goalkeeper of the Year and his .370 goals against average is ranked second in the nation, shows his focus and drive not only while playing in net, but in the classroom as well.
"When I was playing in Mexico and first started learning about UNH, I loved the entire program, both the MBA and the soccer program. I saw that it was a great opportunity and I took it."
Robles is grateful to be at UNH striving toward his academic goals.
"To receive a master's degree in the United States gives me so many more opportunities for the future. Being able to learn about the language and the culture is one of the things I love most about living here."
Having his teammates alongside him to play the sport he loves and help him adapt to a lifestyle in America has given Robles a deeper appreciation for this team.
"My favorite part about playing at UNH with this team is the family we have become. I can talk to them and trust them, which is one of the most important parts about this experience." Robles was named the America East Goalkeeper of the Year
As Robles and his team continue to dominate at Wildcat Stadium, the fans do not go unnoticed.
"The best thing about playing at home are the fans. Playing in our own town, we feel at home here, with all of the support we get from the people in the stands."
No matter where people start in life, the choices made can lead them anywhere. For these three student-athletes, the passion for soccer and a higher education led them all from different parts of the world and here to Durham. Thanks to the opportunities that UNH offers, Thomas, Lutz and Robles are not only playing for a nationally ranked Division I soccer team but are pushing their academic boundaries to open up their futures beyond the soccer field. UNH (14-1-3, 5-1-1 America East) will host Fairleigh Dickinson (7-8-4, 3-4-2 Northeast Conference) on Thursday, Nov. 21 at 6:00 p.m., at Wildcat Stadium in the First Round of the NCAA Tournament. The winner will travel to Blacksburg, Va., to take on No. 10 seed Virginia Tech (9-5-3, 2-4-2 ACC) on Sunday, Nov. 24.
Tickets are available now and can be purchased here, at the Whittemore Center box office or by calling 603-862-4000. Tickets are $8 for adults, $5 for youth 14 and $2 for non-UNH students. Tickets are free for UNH students.
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