By Benjamin Wilson
From the United Kingdom, to Santa Barbara, to the University of Louisville, junior forward Mark Knight has had an interesting journey, finally making the U of L men’s soccer team his new home.
Now Knight is having fun and leading the team with goals scored.
Knight comes from the working-class town of Woking, England, which sits about 45 minutes south of London. Knight recalled his passion for soccer developing at a young age.
“[I was] just in love with playing the game,” said Knight. “Ever since I was four I have been on a team, training [soccer] with my dad.”
Knight attended Winston Churchill High School—playing soccer, rugby, cricket and golf—and lettered five times. Though soccer is Knight’s number one sport, it is golf that still makes him smile.
“I love golf…absolutely love it,” said Knight. “But I don’t get time to play it as much as I would like to, due to time constraints.”
When it came time for Knight to go to college, Santa Barbara City College was his college of choice.
“I looked around at all types of schools, and then I heard about this place called Santa Barbara, California,” said Knight. “People said it was one of the most beautiful places in the world and, well, they were not too far off.”
Knight must have felt right at home at Santa Barbara City College. As a freshman, he led SBCC’s soccer team in goals. In his freshman and sophomore years, he was named first team all Western State Conference and lead SBCC in all-time most career goals scored, at 59, and all-time single season goals, at 31.
Knight’s two years were coming to an end at SBCC, and it was time to start considering the final two years of his collegiate soccer career. With scoring records already in hand, and a successful first two years as a college athlete, Knight started thinking about the University of Louisville.
“It’s a great program here,” said Knight. “The team they have is great, the coaches are fantastic and the high-quality practice facilities are what made me want to play here.”
There seems to be a trend of success that follows Knight. In his first year at U of L, he has become one of the most important members of the team. Knight, a starter, is leading in goal scoring, points scored and assists. His contributions have helped lead the Cardinals to an 6-1-2 record. He noted one major aspect of his game that has helped the team the most.
“Me and Colin Rolfe [are] working as a team,” said Knight. He and I [are] feeding off each other, in order to get the ball to the right spot.”
Knight recognizes that soccer is a team sport where they have to work together, and he knows that he is only as good as the trust that he instills in his teammates. With his soft-spoken tone and big smile, Knight brings yet another vibrant aspect to the U of L men’s soccer team.
Louisville will face a tough challenge on Oct. 7, when they take on the South Florida Bulls. The Bulls, with a record of 6-1-1, have limited their opponents to one shot per game and are coming off wins against Pittsburgh and Notre Dame. With the help of Knight and Rolfe’s teamwork, Louisville is looking to continue to improve upon their already impressive record.
