By Tim Kelly
Contributing Writer
An athletic training major from Orangeburg, N.Y., senior goalkeeper Julianne “Jules” Harris from ESU’s Women’s Soccer team has a passion for the sport both on and off the field.
Harris has been playing soccer since she was just five years old and started to play for a travel team a few years later when she was eight. The fact that she stuck with the travel team and participated in tournaments across the country is something that set the foundation when showcases began for college recruiting.
When it came time to pick a school, Harris chose to take her talents to ESU, and the rest is history. Harris has been the anchor in goal as the Warriors have won three straight conference championships.
Individually, her accolades are almost too numerous to list. Harris was named the 2016 PSAC Women’s Soccer Defensive Athlete of the Year as a junior.
This season, Harris is tied for the most shutouts in the conference with six. In total, Harris has been a part of 36 shutouts (30 of them solo) in her sensational collegiate career.
In addition, Harris is ESU’s career leader for most minutes played in goal with 6,977.51 minutes entering last Tuesday’s game against Molloy.
Head Coach Rob Berkowitz of Women’s Soccer, said, “She [Harris] is the best goalkeeper in the conference.”
“Jules is the best goalkeeper in ESU history, and a good case can be made that she is the most successful goalkeeper in PSAC history,” stated Berkowitz.
When Harris is not on the field, she still stays active. She states, “In my free time, I enjoy being around my friends and family. [In the] off-season, I’m usually really busy with my internship for my major, but if we have a day out of season, we’ll go kick a ball around if we have time.”
“If the weather’s nice, I am usually outside doing some outdoor activity whatever it may be, especially here in the Poconos. [I like] going hiking, and with Camelback being so close, I try to get out and go snowboarding as much as I can,” said Harris.
When asked why she enjoys soccer, Harris said, “Soccer is something that has just always been fun for me. I’ve been on teams with people I’ve been so close with which always made it enjoyable. Other life stresses really just go out the window when I get on the field and play.”
The question of what to do after college is usually very stressful for students, but Harris has some ideas in mind.
She plans to get her doctorate in physical therapy after completing her undergraduate career, but soccer will remain part of her life.
She stated, “I would like to continue playing soccer after college in a summer pick-up league as long as my body holds up injury-wise. There’s a chance to play in Costa Rica for two weeks at the end of the school year, and I think that’d be a really cool opportunity.
“My life has always revolved around soccer, so I can’t imagine not being a part of it. So if playing ends up not working out after college, then I may go coach or work with my old high school team or club team,” said Harris.
Email Tim at:
tkelly17@live.esu.edu
