Soccer standouts in high school, Guy Skord (Broadneck 10) and Gavin Snyder (SPHS 10) are set to begin their second season as members of the US Naval Academy soccer team.
What has the adjustment been like going from high school and club soccer to now playing college-level soccer?
Skord: Its definitely a transition. The game is so much faster, the thinking process you have to be quicker on your feet. Everybody was the star athlete [prior to college], so its very competitive. You always have to be fighting for your spot, and if youre not, someones there to take it.
Snyder: Definitely getting used to how fast the game was. Im not going to lie, I struggled a little bit in the fall getting up to speed of play. But once you get used to how fast the game is, you hit your stride and its fine.
What do you miss most about high school soccer?
Skord: Probably the Friday night games. They were a lot of fun, playing those big rivalry games, like against Severna Park. Also just seeing all the guys, all your teammates in the hallways every day, and all those guys are just your best friends.
Snyder: The guys and the coaching. Roy [Dunshee] was an awesome coach, and all the coaching staff, and then just playing with all the guys, just all the camaraderie.
When did you know you wanted to go to Navy? Did you always want to play soccer in college?
Skord: I always wanted to play in college. I mean, I played so much as a kid, I figured why not keep going with it. I was a little on the fence about going to Navy, but in the spring [of 2010] I kind of just realized the great opportunity it holds. So it just sort of came together and I thought, why not? Lets go for it.
Snyder: Actually it was kind of one of those things that was a blessing that fell in my lap. I went to a recruit camp at the Academy, and the coach just said, Hey I like you, do you want to play at the Academy? And I just said, Im not losing that opportunity.
Gavin, goalkeeper, especially in soccer, is one of the most pressure-filled positions in any sport. How have you learned to deal with that pressure?
Snyder: Its one of those things where you just keep playing and the pressure goes away. Sure, sometimes you get butterflies, but once you start playing and getting into the rhythm, I just dont really feel it anymore.
Guy, you had a lot of success in your first year, which is not always the case for freshman. Did you expect that?
Skord: I had no idea. Its a whole new situation, and you really dont know what to expect. I just wanted to come in and do the best I could, and I guess I did that.
What is the hardest part about being a student-athlete at Navy? What is the work/sports balance like and how do you manage that?
Skord: Its tough, but they take care of us. The academic advisors, they look out for us and work out our schedules so its best for us during our seasons. Everybodys very supportive, so its a just like any other college [for student-athletes] who have to balance their work and their schedule with their sport.
Snyder: For me its not really that big of a problem because soccer is my outlet, and I just look forward to it every single day. It makes me happy and actually helps me plan better around everything.
Your freshman year was the Navy mens teams first winning season in five years. What was it like to be a part of that?
Skord: Its pretty cool, especially because when I was a kid, my dad and I, wed go watch the navy soccer games, and they were a great team back then. Now, were starting to come back together now and put up winning tallies on the board, so its pretty great to see.
Snyder: Its awesome. I was happy for our coach to give some success to him. He has an awesome resume and a great past in soccer. Its just awesome to step into a team thats definitely on the rise, and I think were going to make a run into the NCAAs and definitely make a deep run into the Patriot League playoffs.
Whos your soccer idol? Why?
Skord: Probably itd have to be Pele. When I was growing up I saw videos of him playing, and he just became my favorite player ever since. Maybe it was because he always did those crazy bicycle kicks [laughs], but something always drew me to him as a player.
Snyder: [USA goalkeeper] Tim Howard. Amazing player. Everything he overcame with Tourettes syndrome and all his struggles in life, hes just amazing to me.
Did you follow the Womens World Cup? What were your impressions of the U.S. team and the final against Japan?
Skord: It was a great game against Japan. Its tough to lose like that in penalty kicks, but thats the way the game is sometimes. But fun to watch.
Snyder: [USA womens goalkeeper] Hope Solo Id have to say is another idol of mine right up there with Tim Howard. She has an incredible work ethic. They made a great run and in my opinion they should have won, but they made a few mistakes against a team that really wasnt as good as them.
Who is the best athlete youve ever played with or against in any sport at any level?
Skord: Dennison Cabral [the Baltimore Blasts all-time leading scorer]. He was a little guy, like 55. He was so talented on the ball, so quick. It didnt matter what you did, he was going to fake you out some way and get you. I was really impressed by him. I went to his camps growing up, so thats where I met him.
Snyder: Guy Skord. He is just the most incredible athlete Ive ever met. Just an awesome runner, ridiculous at soccer, hes just unbelievable.
What are your goals outside of soccer?
Skord: Tough to say. Graduate is my first goal obviously, then just go from there.
Snyder: Obviously just to graduate from the academy is the first step, then go through my five years [of service]. Right now Im leaning towards the Marine Corp. Then after that I plan to get an MBA and then hopefully settling down somewhere.
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