Seagrist Lives Out Childhood Dreams at Marquette

Marquette University senior captain Patrick Seagrist is having a strong season in 2019, leading both his team and the BIG EAST Conference with six assists. He's started in all 12 games so far, playing a team-high 1,031 minutes.

The Streamwood, Illinois native has earned three BIG EAST Defensive Player of the Week awards in his career and made the All-BIG EAST First Team in 2018. After his standout 2018 season, he was named to the Preseason All-BIG EAST Team in 2019 and has a great chance to earn all-conference honors once again.

The senior defender is nearing the end of a collegiate career in which he first envisioned when he was just a young kid. He committed to Marquette in the fall of his sophomore year of high school, accomplishing a goal he set forth for himself as a middle-schooler.

"When I was in seventh grade, I had a project where we had to write out our futures on a map," Seagrist said. "I wrote on mine, 'I want to play Division I soccer for Marquette University.' I'm a person that sets a goal and does everything I can to reach it."

Not only did he stick with his commitment to MU for over two years, but he enrolled early in the spring of 2016 in time for the second semester. His play in spring practices impressed coaches, earning himself a starting spot on day one of the fall season. He started all 16 games in 2016, recording one goal and two assists on the season.

"One of my highest points was probably just making an impact on the team my freshman year," he said. "It was just kind of surreal being able to start every single game. Scoring my first collegiate goal against Villanova was an amazing moment, too."

Since then, he's appeared and started in every game but four. His sophomore year is the exception, as he missed the final few games due to a right shoulder subluxation.

"The lowest moment of my career was my injury," Seagrist said. "During that time we were struggling in soccer and personal things weren't going my way. It was overwhelming in a sense. I realize lots of collegiate student-athletes deal with injuries and I just had to stay positive for my team. My mom, who's always been a huge supporter of mine, helped me a ton during this time. She kept telling me to keep battling and that I'd get through it."

Patrick Seagrist (@Pattyseags) scored his first goal of the season in a 4-0 win over UCA last year!

The senior defender earned First Team All-BIG EAST honors in 2018 for the first time in his career.#WeAreMarquette | #MarquetteSoccer pic.twitter.com/l56tDhlgvK
— Marquette Soccer (@marquettesoccer) July 23, 2019

Seagrist came back strong his junior season, recording three goals, six assists and 12 points on the way to First Team All-BIG EAST honors. His play on the field helped MU make it all the way to the BIG EAST championship game against Georgetown before falling 2-0 to end the season.

Patrick Seagrist (@Pattyseags) put his team on the board with a header late in the second half last year against Milwaukee.#WeAreMarquette | #MarquetteSoccer pic.twitter.com/ZecHL5uFqn
— Marquette Soccer (@marquettesoccer) August 8, 2019

"That loss was probably one of the hardest moments I've experienced here. But at the same time, it gave us the idea if we made it here once, we can get back again this year," he said.

Last spring, Seagrist was named captain along with fellow senior, roommate, teammate, and best friend, Luka Prpa. Focusing on the little things has been a key point they've tried to stress to their teammates this season.

"I think it's important to have the small goals because those help us achieve the big picture goals that we have. If you focus on the big picture right away, you forget the little things that are necessary to get there. We have to focus on the little things first," he said.

While his collegiate career comes to an end in November, Seagrist plans to continue his soccer career and play professionally. Off the field, however, his biggest goal is to sustain the relationships with he's built with his teammates, especially his fellow seniors.

"I just hope to remain brothers with all of the guys and be able to follow them through their success, no matter where we end up. We've been through this for four years and plan to do this for a lifetime."

Seagrist and his teammates are back in action on Saturday, Oct. 19 for a BIG EAST matchup on the road against the Villanova Wildcats. First touch is set for noon (CT) in Villanova, Pennsylvania.

Keep up with the Marquette men's soccer program through social media by following on Twitter (@MarquetteSoccer) and Instagram (@MarquetteSoccer) and `liking' on Facebook (/MarquetteSoccer).

Players Mentioned

Luka Prpa

Patrick Seagrist

Related Videos