For senior boys soccer captain Parker Hurla, soccer has been a mainstay throughout his time at Eudora High School, starting as a freshman when he first joined the team, to now being a leader of the program his senior season.
As the Cardinals navigate their 2022 schedule, Hurla understands all that he has been through during his four-year career, knowing what it takes to start from the bottom and now lead from the top.
“Being a freshman in the game is fast and quick,” Hurla said. “I think (this year) I’ve always known that I was going to be a captain. I knew that I had to figure out how to be a good leader and so I’m hoping that I’ve done that.”
The effort that Hurla showed in his four-year career comes as no surprise to head coach Darren Erpelding, who maintained a core relationship with his senior attacking midfielder ever since he got called up to the varsity level early on.
Erpelding continues to be proud of how Hurla leads by example every day to this team this season, despite the roster featuring just four seniors including him.
“He wants to be great,” Erpelding said. “He wants to be known as one of the best to ever come through here. He’s put himself in a position to go and play at a pretty high level in college.”
Going back to his early childhood, Hurla started participating in soccer when he was just 4 years old, and has always kicked the soccer ball around their house since that time, much to the delight of his mother Shanda.
His family also has broader ties to soccer with several of his cousins playing along with Hurla growing up, an activity they could play together more easily than other sports.
Throughout his upbringing, his mother was impressed by the dedication her son had to the game, even if he played during not the most conventional times every day.
“He was dribbling a soccer ball, trying to juggle the soccer ball all around our house and it drove me crazy,” she said. “I think that is when I realized a little bit more that he really does enjoy the game. He really just loves the game of soccer.”
That joy of soccer is also shared by his current teammates with the wisdom he’s instilled throughout the team propelling them to play hard every night versus tough Frontier League competition.
Senior center back Andrew Gomez appreciates all he’s learned from his fellow senior, knowing how close the two leaders have become over their four-plus year relationship.
“I started in middle school watching him play, and it really made me a better player,” Gomez said. “I really appreciate him on the field as a captain. He really got me a lot better as a person.”
As Hurla’s senior season comes to a close in the weeks ahead, the future continues to be bright with college soccer potentially on the horizon for him next year.
Hurla recently received his first offer from Newman University in Wichita last Thursday, and has interest in several other schools throughout Kansas and Missouri.
Nonetheless, the senior leader of the boys soccer program has what it takes to shine at the next level, after having one of the most successful careers in Eudora soccer history over the last four years, with his 25 career goals being second all time. He is two goals away from tying the school record of 27 set by Keaton Herron.
“I love to have a good attitude,” Hurla said. “I like to be positive. I wouldn’t want to go to any other school, and I love my teammates.”
The boys soccer team’s next game will take place at 6 p.m. Thursday at home against Louisburg.
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Reach reporter Gus Baylow at [email protected].
