CBA grad Zacharzuk signs with William Peace University

By Rudy Coggins
Published in Sports on June 11, 2014 1:54 PM

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PIKEVILLE -- Collin Zacharzuk sized up the competition and quickly came to one conclusion during a pair of ID soccer camps on the N.C. State campus in Raleigh.

They all wanted to play forward.

That suited Zacharzuk just fine, but he also understood his chances of playing Division I soccer had become a little more difficult. So, he opted for the small-college route and found a new home -- William Peace University -- in the same town.

The pros quickly out-weighed the cons regarding his decision.

Zacharzuk could start immediately and benefit from a 14:1 teacher-student ratio in the classroom. Not to mention, he could continue his intended course of study -- degrees in business and sports marketing.

"I can get a pretty good education there," said Zacharzuk, who graduated from Charles B. Aycock on Monday evening. "It's a new program. They need some speed, someone to score (and) hopefully I can provide that."

Directed by head coach Zane Hill, the Pacers competed as a developmental team against Division II, Division III and junior college teams last fall. A former University of Virginia standout, Hill has set numerous short- and long-term goals for the program, which will is a member of the Division III USA South Athletic Conference.

Until two years ago, WPU was known as Peace College -- an all-girls' liberal arts school that had existed for more than 150 years.

"(We are) in search of quality soccer players who want to work hard, have great attitudes, are good team players and are dedicated to becoming life-long learners on the soccer field and in the classroom," Hill wrote in a letter to each of his recruits.

Zacharzuk played 3 1/2 varsity seasons for the Golden Falcons. He scored 36 goals and handed out eight assists during his career, and played on three teams that advanced to the N.C. High School Athletic Association Class 3-A playoffs.

Aycock amassed 24 victories with Zacharzuk on the pitch.

But this past season proved the most challenging for the out-spoken forward and his teammates. The Golden Falcons battled in a split-classification league that included 4-A schools D.H. Conley, South Central, J.H. Rose and New Bern.

Each match was a test.

"It was a different atmosphere," Zacharzuk said. "We competed against every school and I was happy about that, but it was a pretty tough season because we had a really young team.

"I learned you have to keep your head. I got pretty heated sometimes just because I would be trying my hardest to score ... do whatever I could do to help us win."

A laidback coach, Hill anticipates Zacharzuk stepping into a starting role. However, the incoming freshman must prove he's capable of handling the grind of workouts, practice sessions and serving as a role model for his teammates.

Zacharzuk could start at either holding striker or striker. There is little difference between the positions since each involves pushing the ball forward and creating scoring opportunities on goal.

The speed and physicality of the game will be different, too.

"The thing that's surprising me the most about soccer right now is it's more aggressive," said Zacharzuk, who plays travel ball with Carolina Select out of Fuquay-Varina. "It's way more about skill, yes, but you have to love the game to play it now if you want to go somewhere with it."