By Shannon Fagan, WEIS Sports Director
COLLINSVILLE – Collinsville senior soccer player Aaron Herrera said he was “freaking out” on Wednesday morning – not because he was signing a scholarship with Northeast Community College in Rainsville, but because the lights were out inside the Collinsville School auditorium, where he was scheduled to sign.
“They were talking about rescheduling,” Herrera said. “I have family who drove over an hour to be here. The coach (Tom Shanklin) had just showed up as well. It was really stressful, but I’m glad it worked out.”
The lights came on just minutes before Herrera’s signing. Perhaps the drama was fitting because of the electricity he brings on the field for the Panthers.
Herrera scored 38 goals and dished out 17 assists last season for the Panthers. He set a school record by scoring eight goals in a single game against Hokes Bluff.
Following what he hopes is a successful senior year, Herrera said he’s excited about turning the lights on for another program in the newly jumpstarted Mustangs.
“I never expected to be in this position, but I’m grateful I am,” said Herrera, who also kicks for the Panther football team. “I started playing soccer when I was 7-years-old. I used to play tee ball and I loved it, but my mom kind of forced me into soccer. For a while I hated it, but I kind of learned to love it. I’m here now because of it.”
Collinsville soccer coach Jeff Stanley is glad Herrera stuck with soccer. He calls him “a cornerstone of our program here.”
“He really blossomed last year,” Stanley said. “He just made some unbelievable plays. We want to get to the ultimate prize at the end (of the spring season), and we’ve got a good chance this year I think.”
Stanley isn’t just proud of Herrera for his athletic ability, but for his character off the field as well.
“His character is impeccable,” Stanley said. “He’s one of our captains. He can lead our team. He’s like an extension of our coaches. When they have a practice or scrimmage on their own, he just takes over. I trust him. He makes good grades. I’m very proud of him. He’s going to be very successful.”
Herrera is exactly the type of player Mustang soccer coach Tom Shanklin is looking to build the Northeast program around.
“We’re looking for young men who are not only productive on the pitch, but also in the classroom, which Aaron is,” Shanklin said.
“I think certainly his center attacking is quality. I’ve noticed it in his game. His unselfishness, being creative, he has an eye for the field, knows where passes can slide in and how to weight them. There are a lot of different things he brings to the table that are positive. Ultimately, you want to hold down the center of the field no matter what, and he has a tendency to be able to hold the ball. He doesn’t lose possession in awkward places.”
Northeast isn’t going to be an ‘awkward’ place in which Herrera will spend the next two years, he said.
“I really can’t wait for it to start,” Herrera said. “I really like the campus. I’ve seen what they plan to do with the soccer fields. Me and Coach Tom have a good relationship. He gave me an offer and it was a no-brainer. I knew I had to go there.
“I’m just grateful for the opportunity. I’m excited to meet new people and play with new people over there.”
Stanley believes Herrera will transition well at Northeast.
“He does the little things the right way, and that’s what it takes to be successful in life,” Stanley said. “I think he’s going to be very successful there.”