Aug. 21, 2007

Georgetown men's soccer standout Corey Zeller (Toms River, N.J./Toms River) saw his playing time increase dramatically in 2006 and is expected to be a constant in the Hoya midfield in 2007. Zeller was in the starting lineup in all but one game as a sophomore, seeing most of his game action out of the center midfield position. He took some time out of the busy preseason schedule and the team's training in Pennsylvania to answer some questions for Hoya Headliner.

HH: So how did you get recruited to Georgetown?
CZ: It was mostly through recruiting tournaments. Old Georgetown assistant Jon Pascale, who was from my area in New Jersey and knew me from New Jersey's Olympic Development Program (ODP), saw me at a few tournaments. I took an official visit to Georgetown and was offered some scholarship money right away. Notre Dame was also in the mix with former Fighting Irish assistant and current Hoya head coach Brian Wiese recruiting me as well. Georgetown gave me the best offer. I had no idea what my major was going to be but I'm in the business school now following my dad's lead, who is also in the business world.

HH: Do you have any superstitions before games?
CZ: No, not really, just listen to some music.

HH: What song gets you pumped up before games?
CZ: I don't have a particular artist or song but I do listen to rap and some techno before games.

HH: If you could be on any reality show, which one would you choose? Why? CZ: Good question ... I like Fear Factor. I like the competitive nature of it.

HH: You could put on goggles and put insects and worms in your mouth?
CZ: I think I can handle it. I don't get too skeeved out by that stuff.

HH: Who is your favorite player of all-time in any particular sport?
CZ: Michael Jordan, no question.

HH: What would you do if you won a million dollars?
CZ: (chuckling) If I didn't give money back to my parent first ... I'd buy a sports car, probably a Mercedes in the CLS 500 series.

HH: What is your favorite quote from Coach Wiese?
CZ: Coach is always talking about having high standards on and off the field. He usually throws in there, "I don't want to see substandard standards." It's a little quirky but when he says it, we all get it.

HH: What is your "breakfast of champions?"
CZ: A Cheese omelette with pepper and onions and hash browns. I would wash it down with some OJ.

HH: If you could get front row tickets to any concert, now or in the past, which would it be?
CZ: Believe it or not, I like country bands. I've seen Rascal Flatts a bunch of times and I wouldn't mind seeing them again.

HH: When did you know that you wanted to play soccer competitively in college?
CZ: Ever since I was 12 or 14 in middle school. I played a bunch of sports growing up but one of my club coaches helped me realize that it was at that time that I needed to really focus on soccer. I think he was right and I'm glad I took his advice.

HH: Who is your biggest rival?
CZ: I think Notre Dame is our biggest rival. We usually get big crowds for the ND game. Personally being recruited by Notre Dame and with Coach Wiese coming from there, I think I get a bit more focused for that one. ND has great tradition - it's just fun to play against them.

HH: If you could change one thing about soccer what would it be?
CZ: I don't like throw ins. People say soccer is a bit boring because there's not enough scoring. I would like to see kick ins. I think corner kicks are one of the most exciting parts of the game. Kick ins would be like corners and there would be more of them.

HH: What was your welcome to college moment?
CZ: Another good question ... I remember in the preseason of my freshman year. I shared a hotel with Jeff Curtin and Tim Convey. I definitely looked up to those guys. Jeff is playing in the MLS now and Tim played with a reckless style but he was under control. It was just cool to be in the same hotel room and on the same team with those guys.

HH: Favorite Georgetown restaurant?
CZ: I like the Tombs. I bet a lot of people would say that too but it's just got a good vibe in there.

HH: Freshman dorm?
CZ: New South.

HH: Any advice for anyone who wants to join soccer?
CZ: I would say it's really important to work hard and stay focused. Academics is the most important but you have to balance both. I would take official visits that are offered to see which group of guys feels the most comfortable with team chemistry. We have 11 new freshmen on this team. We're out in Pennsylvania for five days during the preseason but we've only really played twice since we've been here because of the weather. I think it's important to get to know the other guys on the team. There's something to be said for team chemistry.

HH: Booey's or Wisey's?
CZ: Wisey's - a cheddar jack chicken sub. I've never had anything different.

HH: Last year, you scored the game winning goal in overtime against Marquette in the season finale. Do you visualize that type of play before it happens or does it just happen.
CZ: I think it's more of an in the moment type of thing. I don't think you can expect that stuff to happen. It's more of a see the play and react. I think going into this season, I need to be more assertive on the offensive end - that's my mindset. That is going to run through my head but I don't think you can see particular plays ahead of time.