Aaron Johnson – Sports Editor Laid-back, relaxed, chilled guy off the pitch; junior Daquan King is the kind person his Southern Connecticut State University men’s soccer teammates don’t mind kicking back and cracking a few jokes with. “He has a good personality,” said the team’s co-captain Tyler Naef. “[He’s] someone you can talk to and have a conversation with. Also he has a good sense of humor and really takes pride in things he enjoys.” Well this fun-loving, chilled guy is all business when it is time to step on to the soccer field. King this season has been an integral part of the Owls’ success, leading the team in goals and in points.
“I put a lot of work in during the offseason,” King, a native of Plainsville, Conn. said. “I was in the gym 24/7. I felt that I needed to improve myself this year to have the kind of year that I’m having. I was just trying to stay focused and keep my mind ready for the season.”
Once on the field, that relaxed guy turns into a passionate player that his teammates are confident that will always come to work hard and play even harder. Naef said once on the field King is able to flip on a swing and get into that competitive mode.
Watch Daquan King find the back of the net against St. Michael’s today: https://t.co/ZOZiqcwaQ0 — SCSU Athletics (@SCSU_Owls) October 25, 2014
“When he [King] steps on the field he knows what his role is,” he said. “And he knows what needs to be done. He realizes that the only thing that matters when he steps on that field is the game of soccer and that’s what makes him such a good competitor.” King has found the back of the net six times this season for the Owls as they are having one of the best seasons of recent. A record of 12-1 (9-1 NE-10) has put Southern on the cusp of NCAA and NE-10 glory. King said his love of the sport of soccer has been what has driven him to be the competitor and player that he is.
“For me soccer is my life,” he said. “So I’m a very competitive person. I hate losing and I love winning. So when my team is doing good you’ll see me being very happy. But if we’re not then you’re going to see that competitive edge come out of me. That’s why I’m the player I am today because I love being competitive.”
King has had an ability to do a little bit of everything for the Owls this season. Naef said having King on that field makes his job a lot easier being able to count on him. “It gives me a lot of comfort,” he said. “Because I know he is someone we can rely on to give his best effort every time. I am completely aware and confident of his abilities. He is a special player and he can show that every game.” While receiving praise from other teammates, King said he uses his voice to lead when he has to, but he wants to be able to give something more to his teammates than just goals. He wants to be able to give them a level of drive that has pushed him to the point that he has been playing at this season. “I’m vocal when I have to be,” he said. “I’m not really the type of guy that will rile his teammates up. But I do lead by example. On the pitch I hope that I inspire my teammates to try and do their best. And that’s why you see me trying to do my best. I just try my best to do my best.”
