Sophomore goalkeeper adjusts to new way of life on pitch

Change. In today's world, many people fear that six let­ter word. But to men's soccer goalkeeper Anthony Reichwaldt change is the word that he lives by. Its those split-second deci­sions that make Reichwaldt who he is today.

"I like change," he said. "I don't like to be set on one thing at a time. I change constantly. My room is one way one day, then I move the bed and the dresser. I'm a sporadic person I guess."

It's that sporadic, fearless atti­tude that first attracted head coach Manny Schellschiedt to recruit Reichwaldt when he was visiting his long time best friend Joe Bak­er during Baker's freshman year.

"He was very aggressive for a goalkeeper," Schellscheidt said. "A goalkeeper has a lot to do with courage. You can't have a meat guy in the goal because it's a very tough and nasty guy, diving at people's feet you have to have some guts and Anthony proved that."

Despite the interest from Se­ton Hall, Reichwaldt decided to stay in Nebraska and attended Concordia University. After a "rough" 4-14 season and an honorable mention for the Great Plains Athletic Conference, Reichwaldt made the most spo­radic move of his life.

While at a job fair in his hometown of Lincoln, Neb, he joined the army reserves without consulting his family or friends, including Baker.

"I was completely taken aback," Baker said on Reich­waldt's split-second decision. "It was a decision on the whim. He didn't talk to me at all before it. He was like ‘oh, by the way, I'm joining in the army."

After completing basic train­ing and a one year stint in Af­ghanistan guarding the gates of Kandahar Airfield, Reichwaldt returned to South Orange to visit Baker, who was now in his junior season.

Following a meeting with Schellscheidt where the coach "told him he was coming here," Reichwaldt found himself back in his comfort zone but with a lot of work to do.

"Physically I didn't think I was big or strong enough to come here but then the whole military (sic), obviously we lift and workout a lot made me stronger," Reich­waldt said. "Coming out here and playing with the guys during the summer made me a better player. It's a big difference but being ath­letic really helps out."

Facing stiff competition against three other talented goal­ies, Reichwaldt won the starting keeper spot out of training camp.

"There's four goalies, so there was definitely some competi­tion in goal," Reichwaldt said. "To come out and start, my fam­ily was really proud, so were my friends. It was a good time."

However, despite starting the season 2-1-1, Reichwaldt was diagnosed with a concussion fol­lowing the Pirates 3-1 win over St. Peter's.

While being sidelined, Reich­waldt's personality was still felt by the players on the field.

"He's brought a lot of vo­cal leadership," Baker said. "His experience in Afghanistan made him a leader. Even though it's his first year here, he's definitely been a vocal leader, we've defi­nitely used his guidance and di­rection."

No one felt his leadership more than freshman walk-on Ma­rio DeClerico. When Reichwaldt was sidelined, it was DeClerico who received the nod to start the Hall's match versus No. 1 Mary­land.

"Coming from his back­ground, he's a real leader," De­Clerico said. "He's someone I really look up to. He helped me out by calming my nerves and everything. He told me not to be nervous and just play my game."