Keeping up with the Deacs: Justin Moose
9/26/2013 12:00:00 AM | Men's Soccer
Sept. 26, 2013
By Jenn Leser, WakeForestSports.com
During his time at Wake Forest (2002-05), Justin Moose was a First Team All-ACC selection, a three time All-ACC Second Team member and ACC Rookie of the Year in 2002. The midfielder from Statesville, NC, sits at 11th in all-time points with 65, and tied for 15th with 18 career goals. Moose set a school record for most assists in a single game with four, and is third all-time with 29 assists. Upon graduation, Moose played in the MLS with DC United for two years and the Vancouver Whitecaps for three, before being signed to FC Sriracha in Thailand. In 2012, Moose joined his current team, Seinäjoen Jalkapallokerho, in the Finnish second league.
Talk about your career since Wake Forest, and how you ultimately ended up in Finland.
"After graduating in December 2005, I was drafted by the MLS club D.C. United and spent my first two professional seasons in Washington D.C. Then I went to play for the Vancouver Whitecaps for three years. From there, I went to play for Sriracha F.C. in the Thailand Premier League. I have been in Finland the past couple years with Seinajoen Jalkapallokerho."
As a North Carolina native, what do you miss most about Wake Forest and Winston-Salem?
"The family environment within the team and staff allowed me to make lifelong friendships. Being surrounded by those folks on a daily basis was a privilege. North Carolina in the fall is second to none, and playing an ACC match under the lights at Spry is an unforgettable experience."
What has been the hardest part of your transition after leaving Wake?
"Being away from home has been the hardest transition from Wake. I grew up just down the road in Statesville, N.C., and I was lucky to be able to see my family regularly. Playing internationally has given me valuable cultural experiences, but it's tough being away from home."
What has been the greatest memory of your Wake career?
"Scoring in the sudden death overtime period to end the game in college soccer is special. I picked up a few game winners, and I'll cherish those memories of celebrating with the guys."
What has been the greatest memory of your pro career?
"Winning a championship in Vancouver was the best memory of my playing career. Since I left Wake eight years ago, I got married and we have a little boy which exceeds any sport-related accomplishment."
Do you still keep in touch with your former teammates, and have you ever been in contact with players from before or after your time?
"I keep in touch with a lot Wake Forest alumni. I always try to catch a game in the off-season and former players are always there. When I was playing at Wake, it was obvious to me how important the program was to those who have been a part of it, and I hope the current team realizes it, too."
What is the most important lesson you learned at Wake (Either as a student or as a soccer player)?
"I think a major lesson we all learned was that results are determined by preparation. That applied to our team excelling in classroom and on the pitch. Also, I think the staff's creative punishments for tardiness has made me a punctual person. "If you're not early, you're late."
Given the number of Demon Deacons who are now playing professionally, what do you think that says about Jay Vidovich's program?
"Coach Jay expects his players to be at their best. His training sessions are organized and demanding. The number of Wake players in the pros is indicative of how well he has prepared and developed us."
What advice would you give to a Wake Forest student?
"Enjoy your time because it flies by!"
Head Coach Jay Vidovich on Justin Moose...
"Justin is one of the players that turned our program into something special. Through the recruiting process, he was this little kid from Statesville, NC, and he started showing up at games in sixth, seventh grade. He's from a place, that on one of his recruiting visits in Statesville, they had tractor day, so all the kids brought their tractors. He came from that and he's probably one of the most exciting one-on-one players we've ever had in the history of the program. What he could do with the ball was unbelievable. To have him join us here - the excitement he brought - literally, people came to watch him play. What he could do on the ball, his dynamic in creating goals, he ended up being All-ACC player. Now, to watch his career - his growth, getting married - it's been fun. From D.C. United to Portland to Vancouver to Thailand and now he's in Finland; he's been all over and surviving. He comes back whenever he can to see the guys, which just shows his quality as a person."