Richard Steele to play soccer for Walla Walla University

RICHARD Steele will soon join the island’s other young soccer players who are pursuing their love for “the beautiful game” while in college.

On Saturday, at the NMI Soccer Training Center, Steele announced that he will join the Walla Walla University Wolves starting this fall in the Cascade Collegiate Conference of the National Association of Intercollegiate Athletics or NAIA.

The 17-year-old MP United Football Club member and Mount Carmel School senior believes that Walla Walla University in Washington state is the perfect fit for him.

“I have a good relationship with the coach [William Burns] and he showed great interest in me as a player,” Steele said.

He said he and Burns have had many conversations, adding that the coach told Steele that he will either be a striker or play left wing for the Wolves.

Steele noted that the Wolves are playing in the NAIA where another MP United alumnus, Sunjoon Tenorio, saw action.

Steele said playing soccer at a higher level will improve his abilities as a player. “I look forward to bettering my skills and coming back to play for the NMI national team in future tournaments,” he added.

He likewise commended the NMI Football Association for creating “a very strong base for a lot of young players to grow.”

The other former MP United players who are playing for U.S. colleges or universities are Lucas Knecht, Bo Barry, Enrico del Rosario, Scott Kim, John Taisacan, Dai Podziewski, Joshua Abragan, Dev Bachani and Rintaro Miyawaki.

Published by Marianas Variety - Feb 14, 2022