By Gabriel Luis (@gabelun):
Signing a Division I athlete from Hawaii is not a common sight for men’s soccer in the US, but according to Hawaii Prep World, San Jose State University has two of only nine collegiate athletes from Hawaii this year.
Freshman forward Austin Schneider and midfielder Kalei Tolentino-Perry are two of San Jose State’s newest recruits for the 2017-2018 soccer season, and the duo appear to be confident in their ability to play with each other on the same team.
Both Tolentino-Perry and Schneider played on the same club team previously, but played against each other when playing for their respective high schools in the Big Island Interscholastic Federation (BIIF).
“We were the ones that marked each other,” Schneider said. “It was kind of like a brother rivalry.”
Schneider continued to explain that by playing both against, and with each other, he has learned a lot about Tolentino-Perry and how he plays the sport.
“We did grow very accustomed to each other’s movements,” Schneider said.
Being from Hawaii, the two student athletes share a unique bond, and with head coach Simon Tobin often playing a lineup with mostly underclassmen, the two seem to have an opportunity to show out and perform this season.
Having Schneider as a forward and Tolentino-Perry as a midfielder who likes to implement the use of his passing ability, has a good chance of creating chances to score.
“I’m used to getting [the ball] over the top and playing out wide to the wings,” Tolentino-Perry said.
Although Tolentino-Perry chose San Jose State for the soccer program and the facilities, the different educational options and the people themselves were a big attraction for him as well. He said the people of San Jose are people of good character.
“Sweet, awesome people,” Tolentino-Perry said. “And I enjoy being around everyone.”
On the other hand, Schneider’s reasons for coming to San Jose State were slightly different. He explained how he was originally from Southern California, and that living in Hawaii for some time allowed him to chase after opportunities to play soccer outside of the state.
“It’s probably the most similar to Hawaii,” Schneider said. “ I didn’t want too much of a change… I did try the ‘SoCal’ life, so why not try the ‘NorCal’ one?”
When they are not practicing, the two have been getting accustomed to California and the Bay Area. Schneider and Tolentino-Perry are roommates and hang out when they are off the pitch.
From eating breakfast with teammates to spending their time traveling to different parts of the Bay Area, both are enjoying their time in a new environment away from the islands.
“Carlos [Valdovinos] was the first guy I met here and we always go to breakfast before the games together,” Schneider said.
Even though Schneider and Tolentino-Perry have left their hometowns with hopes to further their careers as athletes, they still maintain what appears to be a very communicative bond with their parents. Both of the athletes continued to explain that they call their families every day as well multiple conversations with other family members.
One part of coming to San Jose State that appears to be helping the two students transition to the school is the assistance coming from sophomore midfielder Ronaldo Lomeli. Both Schneider and Tolentino-Perry commented on their high praise of Lomeli.
“[Joseph Kay and Lomeli] just made me immediately feel like it was home and they just took me in as their own,” Tolentino-Perry said. “It felt really great, honestly.”
Schneider and Tolentino-Perry have made smooth transitions to their new homes and are hopeful that they can help create a dynamic that would lead to a successful season as well as college careers.