Ever since a young age, senior Nick Purdie’s electrifying soccer skills could be easily noticed. While often being found as one of the smallest players on the field, he has always found a way to succeed both individually as a player and as a teammate.

Purdie has been a varsity starter for the Ponies since he was a sophomore. He helped lead the team to a state championship win last fall and a runner up finish the year before. In the Ponies 2018 state tournament campaign, he was one of four players from the Stillwater team to be elected onto the state all tournament team. Weeks after their championship run, it was announced would be a captain for the 2019 season and his senior year. 

“It’s a big accomplishment and it’s something that I’m proud of,” Purdie said. “I saw my older brother be captain, and it’s something I’ve always wanted to do. To be captain during such successful time is really a dream come true.”

The enthusiasm and work ethic Purdie brings to the game is what leads him to compete and succeed at such a high level. It is also what helped bring home the state title last November, eventually leading him to be the face of the soccer program.

Sophomore defender Jacob Ralston said Nick is “someone that you’re trying to copy and be like” as far as his work ethic and style of play.

Nick plays midfielder which means he needs to break up tackles, pass efficiently and run the field. Midfielders in the game of soccer are considered the play makers of the team and do the most running out of all players on the field.

“He has such a knowledge of the game and communicates a lot on the field. He distributes everything and moves the ball very well,” junior defender Peter Leach said. “Skill level he’s by far one of our best players. If it wasn’t for him, we basically wouldn’t have a team.”

The Ponies lost many key seniors from last year’s state championship squad but Nick’s strategy and enthusiasm for the game and his teammates remains the exact same as other years. 

“It’s all about mentality, you have a ton of new kids coming up through the program and we have to show them what it is to be a varsity soccer player. Same mentality during practice, and if you mess up, just get back and keep going,” Purdie said.

With his final season quickly coming to a close, the senior midfielder said he would like to see the team back in the state championship game at U.S Bank Stadium. But most importantly, he would like to end his high school soccer career knowing that him and his teammates put forth 100 percent effort to close out regular season and postseason play.