10 SECONDS With Jesper Fredholm

By Justin Siewierski; Editor-in-Chief

On October 20, 2016

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10 SECONDS With Jesper Fredholm

Justin Siewierski

Editor-In-Chief

js2010@plymouth.edu

Sometimes, it just doesn’t go your way.

Plymouth men’s soccer team won’t be going to the LEC tournament this year, but playing a collegiate sport means more than wins and losses. For 12 men on this year’s roster, Plymouth was an opportunity to leave their home country to play a sport, while getting a degree. One senior defensemen said goodbye to collegiate soccer earlier than expected.

Jesper Fredholm played 46 games on a grass field, just over 16 hours away from his home in Stockholm, Sweden. This spring, he’ll graduate with a degree in marketing, and if things go right, he’ll continue to follow his soccer passion and become a higher-level soccer official.

Fredholm was a dominant force in the backfield for Plymouth State. “[Jesper] was a vocal leader, who always played tough,” said head coach Rob Wright.

Jesper’s leg injury cut him four games short of completing four full seasons at Plymouth State. In 46 games played, he’s started in all but five. As a defender, he’s managed to accumulate 16 points in his career, including an outstanding overtime game-winner this past September in Norwich.

Despite what’s happened this season, Fredholm’s attitude towards life hasn’t changed. Jesper still plans on utilizing the outdoor facilities that Plymouth is surrounded by. This week, I had the absolute pleasure of interviewing Jesper Fredholm for this week’s installment of 10 Seconds.

When did you first start playing soccer?

I started to play soccer when I was five years old, for one of the local clubs back home in Stockholm.

Who was your biggest motivation growing up?

My biggest motivation was, and still is, to always get better, and not just in soccer but overall in everything I do.

How would you describe your past four years at PSU?

Amazing. I don't think I can use another word for it. I have enjoyed every moment at PSU so far, and I will continue to enjoy it as long as I can.

What's it like to play with athletes from all over the world? I think it's really cool, because you get friends who live everywhere around the world. Most college athletes don't get the chance to play in a team with so much diversity as ours. Sometimes it's a problem with the communication on the field, but overall it's a fantastic experience.

How did you hear about Plymouth?

I got to know about Plymouth State through an organization back home that helps athletes that want to combine school and sports. The owner of the organization, Joakim Frisk, went to Plymouth and suggested that I should look into it. Here we are, four years later.

What's the biggest difference between Stockholm and Pl ymouth?

The biggest difference between Stockholm and Plymouth is the size. Stockholm is the biggest city in Sweden so it was a big change to move to Plymouth that is so much smaller. But, being so close to the mountains and be able to hike and ski is amazing.

With an early end to your collegiate career, what did college soccer teach you?

College soccer taught me to never take anything for granted, and that hard work pays off. You never know how long your collegiate career will be; if you stay healthy and fit, you can play all four years, but an unlucky injury can end your career earlier then expected. That's why it's important to work hard each day to be as successful as possible.

Where do you see yourself in five years?

I think that in five years I will hopefully have a good job within marketing, and that I referee soccer on a professional level. I want to get to do what I love, and enjoy life to the fullest.

What would you tell a recruit to convince them to come to PSU?

What I have told recruits, and will continue to tell them, is that if they want a good college experience, love to be in the nature, play sports and develop life-long friendships, they should they pick Plymouth State.

How will you spend the rest of your time in New Hampshire?

I will spend the rest of my time in New Hampshire with my friends, and hopefully get to ski and hike a lot once I recover from my injury. I want to try to enjoy my last two semesters of college.