It’s hard enough to be a walk-on athlete in Division I sports, but Eastern men’s soccer player Joel Del Toro is in a unique situation. A former scholarship player, is a walk-on after he sat out the 2006 season. Del Toro adds depth to a defensive-minded Eastern team off to a 6-2-1 start as they look to improve upon last year’s sixth-place Missouri Valley Conference finish.

Del Toro scored a game-winning goal in his first collegiate game. He was named honorable mention all-MVC that season, and hopes to get back to that level with a year and a half left in his college career. Del Toro recently sat down with staff reporter Mike Mears.

Why did you sit out the 2006 season?

It was actually some personal reasons why I sat out, but a major part of why I didn’t play was I had a broken arm.

Was it a difficult decision to return to the team?

The decision to return to the team wasn’t hard. I just love the game and I was missing it, and part of the reason why I wanted to return was the support of my family. They wanted me to play again.

You were previously on scholarship and now you’re a walk-on. What has that transition been like?

Coming from a scholarship, I felt like I was a big part of the team. Now as a walk-on, I feel like I have to start from scratch and work my way up. It’s tough, but it’s going pretty good. I just have to keep working harder and harder every day, but hopefully I’ll get to a good position, where I was before.

How do you balance school and soccer?

It’s pretty tough, especially when you have away games and you have to miss class. If you just stay on task with your classes and homework and everything, it’s not so bad.

You scored a game-winning goal in your first game as a freshman against Butler. What was that like?

It’s the best feeling in the world, I mean, especially in my first game. That was probably the best feeling I’ve ever had playing soccer. It’s just an incredible feeling that you really can’t explain.

What do you remember about it?

We sent the ball to the corner, we crossed it in and I was just there at the right time, and I headed it in.

What’s better, a goal or an assist?

They’re both good, but of course a goal, because you put the ball in the net and you get most of the recognition. But an assist is equally as good.

You were honorable mention all-conference as a freshman. With a year and a half left in your college career, can you get back to that level?

That’s my goal. I want to work hard to reach that same level and probably get higher than that. My focus isn’t really on getting awards. My focus is on helping the team out as much as I can and playing the game that I love.

You guys are off to a pretty good start at 6-2-1, what are you doing well as a team so far?

We’re working hard. We’re training hard every day. Everyone has some high goals set. We want to win the Missouri Valley Conference, we want to get into the NCAA tournament, and I feel like we can do it this year. We’ve got a lot of guys that are working hard. The defense is a very good anchor, they played a great game against Kentucky (a 1-0 road win in overtime) that helped us win that game. The midfield is led by Mick Galeski, an all-around great player and a good leader. And up top with Brad Peters, he’s just tearing it up right now, scoring goals. Overall the team just looks good. We’ve got a lot of strengths all-around, supporters from the bench, and we’re just good.

With half the season left, what can the team improve upon?

We really have to look into keeping our focus. We can’t just feel like we’re a great team because we’re winning all these games. We have to keep going out there and doing the best we can, have our mindset on the game every day, every time we have to play, and just keep focused.

Do you have a pregame routine?

Not really. I just listen to music and think about the game.

Do you have any siblings?

I have an older brother named Ricky and two younger sisters, Gaby and Rosy. Ricky played soccer at IUPUI and Gaby just started at Barry University in Miami, and she made the soccer team as a walk-on.

Who on the team are you closest to?

I’m closest to Mick Galeski, Jeremy Maubach and Brad Earl because I started off with those guys. We all dormed together when we were freshmen. We’ve been together ever since.

Was it difficult last year, being in school but away from soccer?

I missed it a lot. I went to a lot of the games, and I really couldn’t handle just sitting on the sidelines and watching the team play. I wanted to be out there and be a part of it. So it was pretty tough.

Did you still feel like you were part of the team?

Yeah, in a way, I feel like I kind of was. I knew a bunch of the guys, we always hung out with each other, and I knew the new guys coming in. I hung out with the current senior class and everyone knew that I used to play.

Do you think soccer is becoming a bigger deal in American sports?

I think it is. It’s getting a lot bigger, the MLS is getting a lot more recognition. David Beckham came over here to play with the LA Galaxy, and that’s recruited a lot more fans. He’s been hurt, but he’s still bringing in a lot of fans.

If you could play for any pro club in the world, who would it be?

Barcelona. I grew up liking that team, they’ve always had great players, especially now. They’re loaded with offensive power, and those are the players I love to watch play. I just love how that team plays and all the skill they have.

Joel Del Torro, a junior mid-fielder, has recently returned to the Panthers after taking a year off from playing soccer. Amir Prellberg/The Daily Eastern News

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