Name: Cyrus Fallah
Year: senior
Hometown: Clarendon Hills
What's your earliest memory playing soccer?
I remember playing at the United Soccer Academy in Oak Brook in elementary school and meeting some of the friends and teammates that I still play with today.
What's kept you committed to the sport?
I've been captivated by how you can experience what it means to be part of a team to achieve your goal and working with your teammates to attain it.
How was it having last season deferred to the spring?
Playing for Hinsdale Central in the spring instead of my club team was definitely different.
How have you developed as a soccer player since freshman year?
I've become a much more confident player and, as a result, a much more confident person in general. My coaches talk about being a leader on the field, and I pride myself on helping my teammates stay in a good state of mind to continue playing even after a poor play.
How would your teammates describe you?
Someone who's very determined, maybe intense at times. And that I'm very passionate about the game but also having a good time when playing.
What does it take to excel as a defender?
You sort of have to be willing to put it all on the line. You've got to be the one willing to take a risk to prevent the other team from scoring.
Most memorable moment?
Definitely our game against LT this season, fighting back from a man down and winning in a penalty shootout.
Best advice you've received?
To not let the big things get too big or let the low moments get too low. Take them for what they are, good or bad, and appreciate them but stay in the present.
Why does coach Mike Wiggins like having Fallah on the squad?
Cyrus does such a great job of bringing consistency to training and games every day. I've enjoyed watching him become better every day this season. Cyrus competes, and that has contributed to his overall improvement individually along with making his teammates better.
- profile by Ken Knutson, photo by Jim Slonoff
