PALATINE, Ill. – Prior to this season, it had been four years since Daniel Hoffman (Prospect) had played competitive soccer.  All throughout his childhood, Hoffman had played the sport but when he got to high school, he played for one season and decided that it was time for a change.
 
“I don't know if I got sick of it as much as I just wanted to try new things,” Hoffman said.
 
One of those new things turned out to be volleyball, as Hoffman started playing all-year round with club volleyball in the fall and winter and as a member of the school team at Prospect in the spring.  And after making the football team as a kicker last season, Hoffman needed something to do this fall when the team was canceled.
 
Suddenly, the sport that Hoffman had needed a break from became a viable option and joined the team at Harper.  With high school friend Brayhan Nunez (Mount Prospect, Prospect) already on the men's soccer team, it was a natural fit.  Thus far, Hoffman has tallied a team-leading four goals and been the team's most consistent threat up front, big reasons that he has been chosen as Harper College's fourth Athlete of the Week.
 
“It's going good,” Hoffman said of the season so far.  “We had a little bit of a rough start with people not being able to play.  We were a little low on numbers but it's definitely getting going as the season goes on.”
 
The success hasn't come easy for Harper (2-6, 2-3 N4C) as the team got outscored 11-1 in their first four matches.  But little by little, the Hawks have improved. It started with a 3-1 win over Madison College on Sept. 7 in which Hoffman scored twice off of feeds from Nunez.  And it continued the following day in a 1-0 loss against a South Suburban squad ranked 12^th in Div. II.  Hoffman also keyed a 3-1 victory at Milwaukee Area Technical College with two goals.
 
“My touch with the ball isn't what it used to be just because I haven't been playing as much so I'm trying to get back with that,” Hoffman said.  “But as far as my conditioning, I still feel that I am faster than the defense so if I can make a run, either Brayhan or Jason Palmas will hit me with a cross through.”
 
Though he feels like his touch isn't quite what it used to be, Hoffman has found other ways to get the job done.  For him, soccer is just as much about what you are doing without the ball than with the ball.
 
 “It was an adjustment getting used to touches with the ball, but a lot of soccer is played off the ball,” Hoffman said.  “It's a lot about what you do when you don't have the ball.  I forgot a little bit about where I was supposed to be but once I got that going again, it's worked out.”
 
Hoffman is the team's biggest threat up top but also has shown his versatility by switching back to midfield a few times if Harper is low on players or someone needs a substitute.
 
Harper has been a great fit for Harper, who actually enrolled at Indiana University for the fall semester but decided to come to Harper after one week at the school.
 
“When I'm in a sport, I do better in school also,” Hoffman said.  “I feel like I need a sport to help me out.  Coming back now, it's been really fun.”
 
The small-school atmosphere suits Hoffman and this season has him thinking about continuing his career.
 
“I definitely want to go to a smaller school, maybe Div. III,” Hoffman said.  “I still like football, too, but I'd like to play soccer, if I could, just because I am more involved in the game.”