Pablo Diaz Playing College Soccer At Last

It’s better late then never for Pablo Diaz. The Sachem alum made his college soccer debut at Suffolk County Community College in 2010 at 25 years old and started the 2011 season at SUNY Old Westbury.

“It’s something I always wanted to do,” said Diaz, who graduated from Sachem in 2003 and started all 18 games in 2011 at Old Westbury.

Forced to work right out of high school, his educational track was out on hold due to financial reasons.  He and his teammates would agree it was worth the wait.

Diaz, a goalie, ranked third in the Skyline Conference in shutouts and saves and he earned two conference weekly honor roll recognitions.

His saves at the end of a 1-0 victory against Farmingdale allowed Old Westbury to clinch a playoff spot as well. Diaz finished with a 6-11-1 record, a 2.35 goals against average and 83 saves in 2011.

Being the old guy on the roster – he’ll be 9 years older than the youngest player by next fall – has been a “different” kind of experience, he said.

“Everybody gets along just fine,” said Diaz. “It helps keep me feeling young.”

All along Diaz had been playing indoors and on travel teams since his days of playing under Sachem coach Frank Schmidt ended in the fall of 2002. Schmidt helped Diaz by offering letters of recommendation and phone calls to college coaches in the area.

“He’s always been there for me,” Diaz said. “He’s always been a mentor and really positive. He tells me to go for my dreams and never give up, no matter what.”

Another influence has been his younger sister , a student at Sachem High School East, who is a notable young boxer in the area. Training with her has rejuvenated his spirit.

Diaz, who is majoring in industrial labor relations and is looking to be an entrepreneur in the restaurant or soccer industries, has one more year of eligibility left as he enters his senior year in the fall of 2012.