Palmer soccer captain ready to elevate career

PALMER — Philip Jansen sees the next step in his soccer career as the natural progression.

Currently, he’s the captain of a Palmer Moose boys’ varsity squad that fighting for a spot in the state tournament. And next season, Jansen will make the transition to the college level.

“That’s what every soccer play wants to do,” said Jansen, who has committed to play for Division II Northeastern State University in Tahlequah, Okla. “As soon as you start playing the sport, that’s what you want to do.”

Palmer head coach Kevin Dearborn said Jansen, a player fueled by his work ethic, certainly has the chance to have success on the next level.

“I think he has the potential,” Dearborn said. “He definitely has the work ethic.”

Dearborn said the Division II level and the opportunity to redshirt for a year will be important to the maturation of Jansen’s game.

“I think that’s a great thing for him,” Dearborn said. “We’re a little behind. In the states they’re playing all year. We’ve been outside this year for a month. (Redshirting) will be very good for him. Get his feet wet a little bit.”

Jansen, a varsity starter since his sophomore season, is Palmer’s leader on defense as a senior. Dearborn said defense is where he sees Jansen fitting into the college game.

An important part of Jansen’s progress, Dearborn said, is simply knowing his strengths and utilizing that to his advantage.

Jansen said he looked at a number of schools, but settled on his choice based on the school’s mathematics program and the soccer squad.

“It’s really exciting,” Jansen said. “They have some good soccer down there.”

But before he’s ready to head to Oklahoma, Jansen is looking to lead Palmer through the Northern Lights Conference Championships and into the state tournament.

The Moose host the 2009 NLC tourney next week at PHS.

Contact Frontiersman sports editor Jeremiah Bartz at sports@frontiersman.com.