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Kersker has a healthy goal at Keene State
KEENE, N.H. 7/22/09 - Despite playing a position where he is the last line of defense on his team, Peter Kersker has learned to put things in perspective.
Set to begin his red-shirt senior season as the main man between the pipes for the Keene State soccer team this fall, the Beverly, Mass., native is happy just to be back on the field.
Since graduating from Ipswich (Mass.) High, Kersker has suffered a series of injuries that have put his soccer career in jeopardy. Battling for the top goalie spot as a freshman at UMass-Amherst, Kersker went down with a broken arm during the final game of the team's spring schedule.
The injury ultimately led to his transfer to Keene State, but the injury bug followed him. After his first season playing with the Owls, Kersker was forced to the sidelines again when he injured his back playing for a semi-pro indoor team in Tijuana. Returning home, Kersker had an MRI that revealed an infection in his spine. The doctors told him that, undetected, the infection would have hit his spinal cord. Kersker spent the next eight months in and out of the hospital, missing the entire season.
"I'm just happy to be healthy and living a normal life," Kersker said. "As far as being able to still play soccer, I couldn't ask for anything more."
Looking to make the most of his senior season at Keene State, Kersker has spent the summer playing for the Boston Aztecs, a premier league semipro team based on the North Shore. A determined Kersker played every minute of the Aztec's nine games, leading the team to a 7-2 record and a division championship. The Aztecs lost to Erie 2-0 in the championship game last Saturday. "I think it was great preparation for the season," said Kersker. "Not only am I playing, but playing at a high level. I have one season left. I'm ready to come in and take care of business."
When healthy, Kersker has shown the skills to be the backbone of a team's defense. Playing his freshman and sophomore season at Beverly High, Kersker led the Panthers to consecutive appearances in the north sectional finals. Moving on to Ipswich High, Kersker, a two-time MVP and All-Conference keeper, led all Massachusetts goalies with 14 shutouts as a senior, helping the Tigers capture the north sectional championship and advancing to the state semifinals.
To further hone his skills and enhance his chances to play at the Division I college level, Kersker spent a year at the IMG Sports Academy in Bradenton, Fla., where he got to scrimmage against several MLS teams training at the facility.
Kersker's hard work paid off when he was offered an opportunity to play at UMass. Playing behind a fifth-year senior as a freshman, Kersker felt good about his chances to take over as the team's top netminder the following season, until his broken arm abruptly changed his plans.
Recruited by Keene State out of high school, Kersker got in touch with Coach Ron Butcher, who was delighted to have a goalie of his caliber join the Owl program. Splitting time in goal with Cal Mintz, Kersker posted a 1.27 GAA with three shutouts, leading KSC to the 2006 LEC championship and an NCAA berth. After losing a season to injuries, Kersker returned to the team last fall. Not quite at full strength, he still managed a 1.52 GAA with a pair of shutouts. Kersker's return didn't surprise Butcher. "Peter loves the game of soccer," said the Owls' long-time coach. "He's one of the guys who, when adversity hits, finds a way to bounce back."
However, the Owls' disappointing 6-10-3 season left Kersker with a bad taste in his mouth. "It's a feeling our team needs to keep with us, so we never experience it again," he said.
Asked about his ability to be one of the leaders of this season's young Owl team along with fellow senior Ross Stanton, Kersker said, "I'm more than capable of leading the team. It comes down to the fact that we're just not going to accept anything less than excellence."
"Peter is a great leader," said Butcher. "He commands respect because he's older and, when healthy, one of the top five goalies in New England. He'll have an opportunity to shine and make All-New England and possibly All-American, if we have the type of year I think we can have this season."
