Kyle Zajec Wears #15
Kyle Zajec never played Staples soccer. In 9th grade he joined the New York Red Bulls academy program, and moved rapidly up through the ranks — all the way to the reserve team (one level below MLS).
But the Staples senior is friendly with many Wreckers. He plays in the Super Liga and Watermelon Cup summer leagues, plus the wintertime Loeffler Scholarship indoor tournament. He cheers from The Hill whenever he can.
Now he’s deepened his connection to Staples soccer even further. In honor of Preston Hirten ’07 — the former player who died in 2009, during preseason training at the University of Mary Washington — Kyle is wearing #15 with the Red Bulls.
Kyle’s good friend Andrew Puchala is wearing #15 for the Wreckers this year. It’s a tradition for the graduating #15 to hand it on to the next player who has shown Preston’s skill, tenacity and passion for the game.
Staples soccer is proud that this year, 2 #15s play the game that Preston loved.
(Read more about Kyle here in Inklings, the Staples newspaper.)
Kyle Zajec (right) and Andrew Puchala. Both wear #15.
