Soccer standout: Christoph Schiessl

By Nathan Walls
Editor

Christoph Schiessl is to UNCP men’s soccer what Johnny Moxon
was to West Canaan football in the film “Varsity Blues”: a humble
athlete who is not afraid to credit others despite
a vast amount of individual talent.

But this isn’t the movies and Schiessl isn’t playing at the high
school level.

The 6-foot-2 sophomore forward’s statistics are real, as imaginery
as they seem, and have helped fuel a 10-0 team that is quite
possibly the best squad in UNCP history, all sports considered.

“I am not a special player,” Schiessl said. “I just try to give my best and
that’s all.”

Schiessl’s best has read like Shakespeare this year, garnering him
the Peach Belt Conference player-of-the- week award the second week
of the season.

“It was good for me and also for the team because it helped me a lot,” Schiessl said of the award. “Without the team it wouldn’t be possible.”

Schiessl is among the top four in several conference statistical point categories. He is third in points, with 25; second in shots, with 39; fourth in goals, with nine; and fourth in assists, with seven.

Head Coach Mike Schaeffer says that Schiessl realizes his skill, but is very unselfish.

“Christoph certainly knows he is a very good player, but he is quick to give credit to his teammates,” Schaeffer said. “He understands that most goals result from good team play rather than individual brilliance.”

Schaeffer has spotted several things about Schiessl that make him dominant.

“Christoph is a strong, physical player with great composure and good skill,” Schaeffer said. “He is strong in the air, which is important for us, too. The position he plays has put him in the position to get a lot of scoring opportunities, but he also has good vision and is unselfish enough to find his teammates opportunities to score, so he has added a number of assists to his goals total.”

Schiessl and fellow UNCP teammate Veit Schaidinger played for the University of Regensburg in Germany last year, where they are currently enrolled in an exchange program.

In addition, Schiessl played in the Oberlega club league in Germany, where he gained much experience. Help from coaches and peers has made Schiessl’s transition to American life easier.

“Everything is very good,” Schiessl said. “All of the other guys have helped us, the captains and everybody.”

Schiessl has given back in his own way, helping the soccer team to its highest ranking ever: the ninth spot in NCAA Division II - a far cry from last season’s group that finished 8-10. The program is on pace to be the second team in school history to qualify for the NCAA tournament - a goal the golf team reached in 2001. Schiessl has that in mind, but he refuses to overlook other teams.

“The good teams we play, I hope we win and will do everything to win, but I won’t say we are going to win everything,” Schiessl said. “We want to qualify for the NCAA tournament and win as many games as possible.”

In December, Schiessl plans on returning to Regensburg, but Schaeffer would love to have him back next season.

“We hope that Christoph will consider returning next year as a full transfer, if NCAA rules will allow,” Schaeffer said.

Now, that would make a great movie.Especially if it was based on a true story.