Jakob Moore, a member of the JCC men’s soccer team, has signed a National Letter of Intent to further his academic and athletic pursuits at Dixie State University in Utah.
Moore, a Wellington, New Zealand native, hoped he might be lucky enough to play collegiate soccer at the highest level one day.
“All we hear about in New Zealand is Division I, it’s like nothing else exists, so the National Junior Collegiate Athletic Association seemed a little irrelevant,” said Moore. “I knew my chances of jumping straight into a DI program were slim to none, but still joked with my friends about having a chance to play on a fluke.
“I came to JCC trying to figure out whether I really loved playing soccer or just did it for something to do, so I decided to put my head down and see where it took me,” he added.
“For the past two years, Jakob had the opportunity to improve on his athleticism and skills as the starting goalkeeper for JCC,” said JCC men’s soccer head coach Pat Anderson. “He demonstrated the focus and dedication to becoming the best player he can be.”
During his freshman year, Moore started in 14 matches for the Jayhawks and compiled a record of 1-5-1. He made 78 saves during the season while giving up 2.72 goals per match. As a team, the Jayhawks went 3-12-3.
“It’s not fun to get smacked every week, especially when you’re the goalkeeper,” said Moore of his freshman year. “However, it was the season I needed to find my love for the game again because it let me play without the pressure of winning or being perfect.
‘I couldn’t have asked for a better group of boys to be surrounded by,” he continued. “I owe that whole year to Eric Priester (goalkeeper coach) and Nick Mole (sophomore goalkeeper) for backing me on and off the field, and making every single training that year equally as enjoyable as they were productive.”
Even though the team didn’t have the success it wanted, Moore was a First Team All-Western New York Athletic Conference selection.
Moore knew he had a chance to continue his collegiate soccer career after JCC.
“I was on the radar of some National Collegiate Athletic Association Division I schools as well as some strong Division II schools,” said Moore. “I hated pressure as a kid but now I live for it, so coming into this season knowing that there were big things out there if I wanted them really upped the ante.”
Moore, chosen to serve as the team’s captain, and teammate Michael Andalora wanted to turn the program around.
“I’ve never been more proud than I was standing at the back watching us dismantle Erie Community College in the first round of the playoffs,” noted Moore. “I couldn’t have asked anything more of my teammates. It’s a group and a season that I will absolutely never forget.”
During the 2019 season, Moore improved on all aspects of his game. His stellar play made JCC’s team one to be reckoned with in the post-season. Moore played in 21 matches and had a record of 10-4-3 while making 144 saves. His goals against average also went down, allowing 1.51 goals per match. Moore was named again to the First Team All-WNYAC team.
The 2019 season was the first time JCC made the post-season since 2014 when it reached the Region III Division III championship match. The Jayhawks won its first round match against ECC, 4-0, but lost to Genesee Community College 3-0 in the semifinals. The 2019 season was also the best season for the Jayhawks since 2012 and the first time the team had double digit wins since the 2013 season.
“A number of our sophomore players made huge strides forward individually over the last two years and I’m ridiculously proud of them,” said Moore. “When I look at the way players improved and the way the program has been flipped on its head in two years, there’s no ring or championship that could beat how that makes me feel.”
Not only will it be a transition for Moore moving up to NCAA Division I ranks, but it will also be a transition for Dixie State as well, going from Division II to Division I. Last season, the Trailblazers went 11-8-1 with a 9-5 record in the Rocky Mountain Athletic Conference in the NCAA’s Division II. Dixie State defeated the fifth seed of the RMAC 1-0 in the first round of the conference playoffs but ended its season with a 6-0 loss against first seed Colorado School of Mines.
Moore will look to make an impact upon his arrival. The Trailblazers graduated three seniors, including last year’s starter in net.
“Jakob’s superior work ethic has been rewarded with the opportunity to be the starting goalkeeper at Dixie State,” said Anderson.
Moore is appreciative of everyone who played a role in his achievements at JCC.
“While my role within the team is very individualized, I couldn’t have done any of it without a huge group of people,” said Moore. “From everyone in the athletic department to my friends in the marketing department, they’ve all played a part. As for the team, they had their unique impact on me as a person and a player.
“I want to thank Michael Broughton specifically,” added Moore. “I’ve lived next to the kid for two years now and he’s been like a brother to me since day one. He’s made this whole country feel like a home.”
Moore also committed himself to playing and working every day with his family in mind as a way of thanking them for their support and sacrifices.
“I thank Coach Anderson for getting me here in the first place and giving me the trust and freedom to be myself,” said Moore. “I absolutely loved working with him. He’s a huge asset to JCC as a coach, teacher, and a role model. JCC is lucky to have a coach that cares so much about his players’ personal performances and their own futures rather than just winning and losing.”