Athlete Spotlight: Marcelo Silva

SALEM, Mass. -- This week's athlete spotlight features freshman goalkeeper Marcelo Silva (Marlborough, Mass.), who was named MASCAC Defensive Player of the Week for the week ending August 31, after notching a shutout in his first career start in goal. 

Can you talk about your performance this past week that led to your player of the week award?

"It was honestly a surreal moment. Starting in my first ever college match, with so much riding on me, it was a special moment, I also felt that I played well. Although I didn't have many shots taken on me and only made four saves, I feel that I still helped by communicating to my team and even using my feet to pass the ball along.

"Are there any short-term goals you'd like to accomplish in the next few months?

"I for sure would like to win a few more Defensive Player of the Weeks going forward. And hopefully win the MASCAC with this group of guys."

Which strengths do you believe you have that make you a great athlete?

"I feel like I am a very versatile athlete, I can play many positions when it comes to soccer or even play a few different sports. I also think that in soccer I am good with the ball at my feet whereas other goalkeepers aren't."

Is there a coach/athlete or someone outside of sports that you look up to as a role model?

"One person I always look up to or think about to help me is my high school volleyball coach, Chris Lowe. He really helped me growing up, in school he even made sure that I was caught up in my classes outside of volleyball."

What's the best piece of advice you've gained from your coaches?

"My volleyball coach once said to me after a practice, 'be a goldfish' and I honestly use that piece of advice no matter what. I've been working on being mentally stronger and one thing that used to hurt me as an athlete was losing my confidence after messing up, may it be in game or in practice. I would always get down and lose focus until one day he told me to 'be a goldfish'. Goldfish have short term memory so he meant it as, move on to the next play, and to this day I still use that in my game.

How would your coaches and teammates describe you?

"I think they would describe me as confident, and social for sure."

Is there an interesting fact that most people don't know about you?

"I've been playing soccer since I was three years old."

Do you have any hobbies or interests outside of sports?

"I like cooking, watching movies, sometimes I'll also play video games."