By Ashlea Hellmann
Way back when seniors Nathaniel Gerstle and Joey Watson were in high school and just beginning to look at colleges, they both knew the thought of wearing another jersey other than the University of Louisville “just felt weird.”
That’s what probably led them to U of L to play for the men’s soccer team.
The pair, who hail from the Louisville area, said they have grown up on U of L sports. This could be due to the fact that both have parents who played sports for the Cards. Gerstle’s father, Peter, is a former football player, while Michael Watson is a former member of the baseball team.
The pair has a lot of local pride. “We just grew up with a passion for the school,” said Watson, who graduated from Manual High School.
Gerstle, a midfielder, got his start at local all boys’ high school, Saint Xavier High School, where he helped to lead the team to runner-up finishes in the state in both 2000 and 2001.
While he got offers from other schools, Gerstle said as soon as the Cardinals showed interest, his decision was over.
Watson, a defender, was a four-year letter earner at Manual and a first team all state performer his senior season. Watson said he to felt a strong pull to come to U of L.
While current U of L head coach Ken Lolla was not a Cardinal at the time, he agrees with the decision to recruit and sign the talented pair.
“They are both great people and very good leaders,” Lolla said. “They both have an excellent work ethic and will be successful in life well after college. I would have recruited both if I was the coach when they were seniors.”
The Louisville area is rich with soccer talent, with clubs such as Javanon producing superior talent. Javanon, a traveling club for both boys and girls, produced countless state championships and two national champions in 1997 and 2006.
Both Gerstle and Watson played for a Javanon squad that won four consecutive state championships and was a Snickers regional champion in 2002.
Despite the talent that the Louisville area is producing, Watson and Gerstle are the only members of the men’s soccer team from the Bluegrass State.
They came in along with two other players from their recruiting class, but both have since left the team.
The only other local product that has come close to stepping on the field is North Oldham High School alum Nick Dressman, but according to the team, he never made an appearance.
The two said that one reason they believe the team is lacking in hometown players is the desire for many to go to a college further from home.
The Cardinals are still looking to keep the top local talent in state. Saint Xavier senior Jimmy Crick has made a verbal commitment to the University of Louisville for next season.
Watson and Gerstle feel as though they made the right decision by staying home. One benefit, the pair says, is they have knowledge of the city.
“We can answer any questions the other guys may have,” Gerstle said.
The guys hope the time they have spent on the team will create an impact on future players.
“Playing for Louisville is the greatest honor I can think of and to pass that ideal on is something that is very important to me,” Gerstle said.
