The Chelsea Standard
A Heritage Newspaper
Weekly Publication
Forsch commits to Oberlin
By Don Richter, Sports Editor
PUBLISHED: June 19, 2008
Chelsea's Kiefer Forsch recently committed to continue his soccer career next season at Oberlin College in Oberlin, Ohio.
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The 6-foot-2, 190-pound senior defender was a three-year varsity performer and co-captain for the Bulldogs. Last year, Forsch earned Division 2 All-State honorable mention recognition, along with All-Region, All-District and All-Southeastern Conference first team accolades.
Forsch, who also considered attending Kalamazoo College, the University of Michigan and the University of North Carolina, said he chose Oberlin for various reasons.
"Oberlin is a prestigious school and has a rigorous education," he said. "The size of the college is highly attractive as a Division III school. Also, knowing the soccer coach at Oberlin (Blake New), from attending Notre Dame soccer camp, helped introduce me to a lot of what Oberlin has to offer."
Chelsea coach Dave Pieske said Forsch was an amazing player for the Bulldogs.
"He was a tremendous asset to our team," he said. "He was a dream player for any coach. He always worked hard and was a great leader."
Forsch, who has a grade point average of 3.7 and plans to major in neuroscience, said soccer has been a part of his life since he was little.
"I have loved soccer since I was a baby boy," he said. "I enjoy playing this sport and so does 90 percent of the world. I am just one of those kids who stayed playing soccer."
Forsch said he gains inspiration from players he has competed with and from those he watches on television.
"There are three players who I have always loved watching play," he said. "Materazzi (Inter Milan), Mexes (AS Roma) and Allessandro Nesta (AC Milan). Each has their own unique qualities, but sharing the same position as I, allows me to learn more about the role of the defense. They inspire me to apply what I learn into the game and see if it works to my taste of play."
While Forsch gains inspiration from players he sees on television, Pieske said his recently graduated standout was a prime example during his career for other players throughout Chelsea's soccer program.
"He's the perfect role model for any young player to follow," he said. "He will be missed next year."
Last season, Oberlin's men's soccer team finished 7-8-3 overall and 2-6-1 in the North Coast Athletic Conference. The Yeomen have two players from Michigan on their current roster. Forward Skyler Dum, a junior-to-be from Novi Catholic Central and forward Evan Atwell, a sophomore-to-be from Ann Arbor Pioneer.
While Forsch will be joining a new squad and playing with different teammates next season, he said he'd never forget his years as a Bulldog.
"I will reminisce about all of the team bonding with each class that graduated before me," he said. "Each team had its own different traits as each was predominantly made out of players who had played together their whole lives."
Forsch said there was one contest during his career he'd always remember
"The one moment that sticks out to me the most while playing for Chelsea would be the regional game of the 2005 season, where I watched one of the best Chelsea soccer players, Ausable Schweibert, score twice to put the game into overtime," he said. "Though we did lose, it was a good inspiration to how I developed my own game play."
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