One on one with Player of the Year Peterman

I have always taken a liking to others named Ryan. I spend my off-seasons training with Ryan Howard and I play poker with Nolan Ryan on Thursday nights But what I enjoyed the most was taking Spanish 101 with USD senior defenseman and WCC Player of the Year Ryan Peterman. I recently sat down with mi amigo and team captain, Ryan Peterman and talked about his soccer career, Spanish class and his future.


The Vista: Looking back on your career here, would you have done anything differently?


Ryan Peterman: I don’t think so. Every year I was at USD I tried to push myself to be the best player I could be. I figured not only would I improve myself, but I would also help  improve the players around me.


V: What personal accomplishments are you most proud of?


RP: My sophomore year I scored a goal against Long Island University to help us win 2-1. That was really memorable.  I am also proud that I accomplished many goals of mine. In my freshman year I made all-freshmen team for the WCC, and my junior year I got first team all conference in. Then in my senior year, the Player of the year for award .

V: What is harder, our Spanish group project or getting the WCC Player of the Year award?


RP: (Laugh) hm...our Spanish group project was pretty hard, but to win WCC Player of the Year was no easy task. After making all conference junior year, other teams in our conference knew that I liked the ball at my feet so I could run at the other team’s defense. So going into this season, I really had to step my game up in order to handle the extra pressure teams played on me. There were several teams this season that would have a forward guard me just so I wouldn’t be able to attack. But to be honest, I never thought about the award. I actually didn’t even think I stood a chance in receiving it. I just went out every game this year and tried to help guide my team to a victory. Being a senior and captain of the team I had to be a role model for the incoming players. So I felt the best way to do this was to prove myself day in and day out on the field.



V: How tough was the loss to Santa Barbara in the second round of the NCAA Tournament this year?

RP: The loss against Santa Barbara was devastating. We worked so hard all season to put ourselves into the position we were in. To lose our first game in the tournament sucked. In my four years here this was the only time I made it to the tournament, so to lose in our first match was really disappointing. This year’s team was the best team we have had since I have been on campus. I thought we had a chance of making it pretty far in the tournament. 



V: What will you miss most about USD soccer?


RP: The thing I will miss the most about USD soccer is the guys. I have gained many friends since I have been on the team. To have everyone part way’s will be tough. I am sure we will still stay in contact, but it will never replace the bonding time we had at practice every day.



V: I know the MLS tryouts are coming up, what are your thoughts on that?


RP: The MLS Combine is in early January in Florida this year. All eight of our seniors will be attending the Combine in hope of getting drafted by a team in the MLS, so  I am extremely excited for the upcoming Combine. The other seniors and I have been lifting weights and training everyday here on campus  in order to prepare ourselves for the tough competition that will be awaiting us. I am anxious to see the difference in skill level, I know the cream of the crop will be attending and I tend to rise to the occasion so anything could happen. I am just trying to keep myself healthy so I can give it everything I have.



V: What is Ryan Peterman doing in the next three years?


RP: I am hoping to get drafted into the MLS and I am hoping to be brought up to play with the full men’s National Team where I will be able to play for my country and help them compete for a World Cup trophy.



V: This is the part where you can shout out your people.


RP: I just want to thank my family and my teammates. My coaches for always being there to support me and help me strive to be the best player I could be. Now that my dreams of becoming a professional athlete are so close, I just thank God for all the opportunities he has blessed me with. I just hope that my teammates and I will be able to prove ourselves one last time.