TAMPA - When University of South Florida senior goalkeeper Jeff Attinella started playing soccer when he was seven years old he never would have imagined himself being where he is now, one of the nation's top rated college soccer players.

 This year he has been nominated for numerous awards such as the Hermann Trophy and Lowe's Senior CLASS Award among others, and has been dubbed a preseason second team All-American by College Soccer News. Attinella also was voted BIG EAST Conference goalie of the year last season and finished the year as a first team All-American according to the National Soccer Coaches Association of America (NSCAA).

Attinella has been an integral part of the USF men's soccer program for the past four seasons. He helped lead the team to their first BIG EAST Championship two years ago and has guided them to another fast start this season (4-2-1), including wins over nationally ranked Ohio State and Akron (preseason).

Attinella is from Clearwater, Fla. and started playing soccer when he was seven years old. "I kind of got into it because it was one of the sports my parents made me play. I got into being a goalie because my under-9 coach knew I played baseball, so he figured I could catch a ball. He just kind of stuck me back there and ever since then it's never really changed," said Attinella.

When he isn't playing soccer some of Attinella's hobbies include just hanging out with his roommates or teammates and watching television.

In regards to his decision to come to USF, Attinella was influenced by a few factors including proximity to home and program prestige. "I wasn't talking to a lot of big schools out of high school and this was definitely the best program I was talking to. I thought that it (USF) gave me the best opportunity," said Attinella.

Even though Attinella has gathered plenty of awards and accolades he hasn't let it go to his head and is appreciative. "It's cool. Where I started my freshman year and even my sophomore year I never would have expected by my senior year that this is where I would be. It's pretty humbling because at the same time you see some of the players that are mentioned and it's a really big honor to be up there. Hopefully by the end of the year I can still be mentioned for some of these awards."

One of the most prestigious awards Attinella is up for this year is the Lowe's Senior Class Award, which is given to the student-athlete who exhibits achievements in four areas of excellence - community, classroom, character, and competition. This marks the third year in a row that at least one USF player has been up for the award. Yohance Marshall was nominated in 2008 while Zak Boggs and Francisco Aristeguieta were up for the award last season.

Besides being a standout on the field, Attinella prides himself on his academic achievements as well. "You always want to do well in school because it really helps with your GPA and getting jobs in the future. One of our things is to always have a 3.0 GPA on the team, so that was a major incentive to do well."

The driving force behind Attinella's work ethic on and off the field has been his parents, especially his father. "My biggest role model is definitely my father just because of what he has done for our family. He put me in a great position to succeed. His work ethic and who he is as a person is someone I definitely want to model myself after."

After this semester Attinella is planning on graduating with a degree in Communications and would like to pursue a career in professional soccer. "I'm hoping I can play (pro soccer). I had a great opportunity overseas this summer in Sweden. I'm hoping I can stay here but if the opportunity presents itself overseas that would work too. I definitely want to play and that's my goal," said Attinella.

When it comes to Attinella's career at USF, he says his most memorable moment would have to be winning the BIG EAST Championship two years ago. "That was a great feeling, just with all the fans we had. That was an amazing year. Hopefully after this season I'll have a new one and the best memory is yet to come."

As for this year's team, expectations as high as ever and they have big goals they wish fulfill. "We have our goals and it's a goal every year to be a top team and be a top program, that's one of our mission statements. As for our specific team goals I think we'll keep that in the locker room just because we don't want to really let everyone know what were after this year," said Attinella.

Hopefully the good start is a sign of even bigger things to come for the USF men's soccer program this season.

Make sure you come out and support your Bulls during their next home match against Rhode Island on Wednesday, Sept. 29 at 7:30 p.m. at the USF Soccer Stadium.

By Sean Barows