Mazmal Babiker spent one year at Western Nebraska Community College and now the freshman from Erie, Pennsylvania, will be heading closer to home after signing to continue his soccer playing days at Mercyhurst University in Erie Pennsylvania, Division I school just five minutes from his home.
                Babiker, who was born in Egypt and went to high school at the Charter School of Excellence, said he is excited to be going closer to home to play.
                “I am excited because it is close to home,” Babiker said. “It is a big campus, but a good community, so it is a big step,” Babiker said. “It’s been my goal (to play at Division I) because in order to go to the next step, you have to go through the program in the U.S., from JUCO to Division I to professional. I think this is a step in my career.”
                Babiker was part of the WNCC men’s soccer team that won a Region IX title in the fall. Babiker, as a freshman, however, didn’t play a lot, appearing in just three games with two shots, He appeared in games at Indian Hills Community College and Iowa Western Community College and in the 6-0 win at home against Lamar Community College.
                He came to WNCC because he wanted to get better.
                “I came to WNCC because it was an opportunity to grow and they were good last
year.”
                And this past fall the team was even better and Babiker was pleased to be a part of it.
                “Playing one year in junior college was challenging because I didn’t expect the level to be hard,” he said. “When I came here, the level was pretty good. It’s intense and it made me a better payer to go where I’m going right now.”
                What Babiker learned about his time at WNCC was accepting roles and just trying to help the team in whatever aspect one can.
                “I learned that it is about how many minutes you play,” he said. “Just do what you can do to help the team.”
                Babiker, who started playing like six or seven years ago in middle school, was glad to be a part of a Region IX championship team this past year even though he didn’t see a lot of playing time.
                “It was good, especially making history for a team after I made history for my high school,” he said. “So, I’m going to continue that into Mercyhurst.”
                Babiker, who is majoring in nursing, said he will miss his being out in the Midwest and the memories he gained.
                “I am going to miss my friends, especially the dorms, the hotels, and the teams,” he said.
                While Babiker is leaving after one year, he does have a message for the returning Cougar players and the incoming players.
                “The message I want to leave is listen to coach. Don’t put yourself above other people, put yourself at the same as everybody else because it builds the team together and you win championships.”
                What Babiker got from WNCC soccer coaches Eseah Ingram and Todd Rasnic was simple, and it is something that made him a better player.
                “Their coaching definitely humbled me when I got here,” he said. “It made me a better person, a better player. Both of them.”