Sweet Home Indiana

True freshman goalkeeper Michael Soderlund always wanted to be here.

Soderlund, redshirt freshman midfielder Kerel Bradford, sophomore midfielder/forward Blake Wise, true freshman defender/forward Jack Coleman and junior midfielder Aris Zafeiratos took an unconventional path to travel a great distance to come to Bloomington and wear the cream and crimson for one reason — tradition.

Growing up in Boise, Idaho, Soderlund graduated high school a year early.

Faced with the decision of where he would play soccer at the collegiate level, he said the choice of IU was one of the easiest he ever made.

“The program’s tradition is absolutely incredible and kind of speaks for itself,” Soderlund said. “If you want to play soccer, this is the place to be.”

Similar to Soderlund, Bradford grew up far from Bloomington.

He looked at schools on the West Coast closer to his home in Chandler, Ariz., but despite the great distance from his family and friends, he is pleased with his decision to come to Indiana.

“I’m happy that I did come here, and I know my mom wanted it,” Bradford said. “I know throughout the year, she will be at some of the games.

“As long as she is there for some of the games, then that makes up for it.”

Coleman grew up in a college town, but when he finished high school in Norman, Okla., there was no hometown college soccer program to go to.

Norman is home to Oklahoma University in the Big 12 conference, which does not participate in men’s soccer. Coming from a similar college town, Coleman said he saw Indiana as a great fit.

“I came on a visit in August of my senior year, and I just loved what I saw,” Coleman said. “I liked the coaches and all the guys, and I knew it was a great program, so it wasn’t tough decision.”

Of all the current Hoosiers who have come from distant hometowns, Zafeiratos traveled the greatest distance.

Growing up in Athens, Greece, he made the decision to come to the United States in 2009. He spent two years at Bryant & Stratton College — a junior college — before coming to Bloomington for the 2011 season. 

While Zafeiratos is far from home, he has a plan for his future that helps take his mind off the distance between Bloomington and Greece.

“I can be patient,” Zafeiratos said. “First, I need to finish college, get a degree and then whatever happens with soccer.”

Almost halfway through his freshman year, Soderlund said he doesn’t regret his decision to graduate high school a year early and move across the country to suit up for the Hoosiers.

“It’s always hard missing my senior year with all my friends, but I feel like as a player I have really developed, and it’s worth it,” Soderlund said.