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Facusse '17 Shines at the No. 5 University of Kentucky

By SIMA, 10/24/18, 1:15PM EDT

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Enrigue Facusse ‘17, originally from Honduras, knew that he wanted to come to the United States to prepare himself to follow his dreams of playing soccer professionally. Before applying to Montverde Academy (MVA), he had heard of the Soccer Institute at Montverde Academy (SIMA) and Head Coach Mike Potempa’s reputation. 

He kept searching for ways to accomplish his academic and athletic goals but kept thinking of Montverde Academy as the perfect first step. Facusse came to MVA as a boarding student, not knowing anyone, and found comfort in the large number of international students already attending the school.

After training under SIMA staff for two years, Facusse graduated and accepted a walk-on position at the University of Kentucky as a goalkeeper. 

“SIMA gave me the confidence to take a walk-on spot at the University of Kentucky. When I arrived at college, I expected the training and level of play to really challenge me,” said Facusse. “Instead, I found that the SIMA training I had at Montverde prepared me for the level of difficulty that I would face playing college soccer.”

Facusse, now a sophomore at the University of Kentucky, secured a starting role as a freshman and continues to work hard to keep it. Despite his successes collegiately, wished he would have decided to come to Montverde Academy and SIMA earlier, even though, it would have been harder to leave his family.

“Another year with the coaches, especially the top-notch academics, would have given me a better edge at Kentucky,” said Facusse.