XI with… Hayden Schwartz

Welcome to XI with… where I ask the same 11 questions to high school soccer players from across the state. Today it’s XI with… Hayden Schwartz of Kearney.

*The following has been edited for clarity.*

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1. Of course, in Nebraska, we have all sorts of weather in the spring. Do you have a least favorite element to play in, whether that’s rain, snow or wind?

I’d probably say the rain, for the goalie aspect. It can be hard sometimes for ball handling, and that turf can get really slippery sometimes. 

2. Outside of soccer, what’s something you’ve gotten way too competitive about?

I’d probably say maybe like the video game aspect, maybe like playing FIFA and stuff, I’ve got really competitive. Since being into soccer, you know, it’s caused me to be more competitive in those aspects.

Is there a certain team you play with on FIFA? 

Manchester United. Man United’s my go-to team. 

3. What usually is a good indicator that it’s going to be a good night for you?

I’d like to say it’s my warm-up. If I have a clean, crisp warm-up, you know, no drops or anything like that, that’s how I know it’s gonna be a good night. 

4. What’s something you do differently than most people?

What I think that I do differently is that I really like everything to be clean. So my tape jobs and all that, I really like it to be clean. Everything that’s set up on my body, my whole kit, I like it to feel clean and feel comfortable. 

5. What’s just a player team you actually got your way to watch, and what do you like about them?

I’m gonna go for the professional aspect. I’m gonna go back to Man United. I really like how, you know, they’re not a real consistent team, but I like the aspect of them being able to change their play around and overall just being a good team. 

6. What’s something special about high school soccer in Nebraska that people outside of the state wouldn’t expect?

I’m gonna go with the competition and the environment. I don’t think people would expect Nebraska to have a big soccer environment compared to other sports. And so I think that’s a good main one there. 

You mentioned competition, such Nebraska challenges this week. That’s always really good competition. 

It is, yeah, it’s a big competition. Those two top (Class B) schools are always fun to play against. 

7. What’s a game or moment from your time playing soccer that you’re probably going to remember for a long, long time?

I’m going to go with the Lexington game from last year, which is that Central Nebraska Cup. Winning that was a big, big thing for me and for the team, with our first year being in the tournament and once again playing those two top class B teams. Both those wins for us were really big. 

8. Over the last couple of years, what’s something you’ve changed your mind about?

One thing I’ve changed my mind about, I had to give up football. Football is a big thing for me. So, just sticking to just mainly to soccer is one thing I’ve changed the last couple of years. 

9. Typically, with these all spring long, we’ll be asking 11 questions. Nine of them will be exactly the same. One of them I picked specifically for you. Being a goalkeeper, what’s something that people in the stands may not realize is the hardest part about your job?

I think the hardest part about my job is that I feel like everything’s kind of reflected on the goalkeeper. One little mistake from the goalkeeper could, you know, cost the game. A mistake from a defender, striker, midfielder, you don’t notice. But from a goalkeeper, you notice it right away. And so there could be a lot of pressure in the aspect of the game is partially on your play. 

And how do you manage that kind of pressure too? 

I try to ignore it as much as possible. Before games, I try to just completely get that pressure out of my head and just focus on the game and what I can do.

10. What is the best school lunch that Kearney has to offer?

That’s a tough one. We have sweet and sour chicken with rice, and it’s that’s from the people, my friends and stuff, they would most likely agree with me on that one. 

11. Finally, this is what I call the pass-along question. This one comes from David Arciga of Schuyler, and he wants to know, What is your pregame song before a match?

Ooh, that’s a tough one. I don’t think I have one in particular I listen to. I think there’s multiple, but for a genre, I’d probably go with either rock or rap. 

Next week’s XI with… on the boys side is with Mason Mercer of Elkhorn North. What is the question you have for him?

What is he looking forward to most this season?

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I want to thank all of you for checking out the latest edition of XI with… I won’t be at any games tonight, but I’ll be at the Central Nebraska Cup on Friday. Also, be sure to give us a follow on social media. Until next time, have a great day, and I’ll catch up with you on Tuesday for the next edition of XI with…