Jose Perez joined the Western Washington University men's soccer team in the summer and has instantly made an impact on the team, contributing four goals and three assists in his 15 appearances so far for the Vikings, having the second-highest points tally thus far for the team.
“I would say the confidence that my coach has in me and that my teammates have in me,” Perez said, when asked how he has been able to perform at such a high level. “You know, coming into the season, I feel like I had to prove something. With all the minutes that I’ve been playing, I had to make something out of it.”
Perez has made an appearance in all 15 games this season for the Vikings and has scored or assisted in five different games so far.
“He has an ability to score goals,” said Greg Brisbon, head coach for the Vikings. “He can strike the ball very well, and he’s not afraid to shoot. He’s able to get himself in spots where he’s creating chances or getting chances to score.”
Coach Brisbon didn’t hesitate when asked to point out Perez’s biggest strength on the field.
“He’s competitive,” Brisbon said. “And that’s important. Not everyone is always competitive, but he definitely is. I think that drives him. He enjoys the game. Like, he literally just enjoys doing whatever.”
The start to the season wasn’t what the Vikings had wanted, but they have since turned their losing streak around after the first six games.
“I feel like that was our motivation,” Perez said. “The season started super slow, we lost a couple of games, and then once we got our first win, it just gave us the momentum to keep on going.”
The Vikings have been on an impressive seven-win, two-loss and one-draw run since, and are sitting second in the Great Northwest Athletic Conference standings.
Although Perez is prolific in front of the goal, he also brings some personality to the team.
“He’s usually always smiling, and he just seems like he really enjoys playing soccer and competing, no matter what we’re doing,” Brisbon said.
Senior captain Joar Tidblom also notices the impact Perez has on the team off the field.
“He’s really funny,” Tidblom said. “He’s really good personality-wise, and as a team, we’re a lot closer to the freshman than usual, and that’s mainly because of their personalities.”
Perez says the team gets along super well, always laughing and making jokes, but they also have a serious side, and know when it's time to work.
“Overall, I love the group,” Perez said. “Everybody’s good around each other, there’s positive energy, everybody’s always pushing each other and wanting the best out of each other.”
Perez’s biggest advice for younger people who are trying to succeed and get into the position he is in was simple: just keep going.
“If things aren’t going your way, just keep it up, keep going,” Perez said. “Everybody has different paths, and God always has a plan for everyone. At the end of the day, it’s however much you put into it, that’s how much you’re going to get out of it.”
Coach Brisbon is excited to see what Perez can bring, knowing he could be really special in the future.
“Overall development;” Brisbon said. “A lot of these club kids that come into college aren’t really asked to defend the way I ask my guys to defend. He’s very good at that, the discipline of wanting to defend, and I’m excited to see that more because that’s really going to create more chances. And, just growing as a person, and at some point, he’ll be a leader on this team when he gets older.”
Tidblom added to that sentiment, also seeing the potential to grow in Perez.
“I think he’ll adapt and develop even more into the college system,” Tidblom said. “He’s already done a good job of that, but I think if he just keeps working hard and listening to feedback, he’ll grow as a player and as a person.”
Perez and the Vikings will look to continue their dominance in the GNAC as they close out their season with two road games before the start of the GNAC Championships in Burnaby, British Columbia, on Nov. 13 through 15.
Christian Larrañaga (he/him) is a Sports and Recreation reporter for The Front. He is in his second year at Western, majoring in Visual Journalism, and is in his first quarter at The Front. Christian spends his time in the outdoors, playing soccer or hanging out with friends. You can reach him at christianlarranaga.thefront@gmail.com.
