Jende Epitomizes 'Team-First' Mentality

Marquette men's soccer redshirt junior forward Griffin Jende has been the epitome of a team-first player in his four years on campus. After redshirting his first year, he played in four games (42 minutes total) in 2017 and 2018 combined. Despite the lack of playing time, Jende kept working and did anything he can to help his team.

"When you're part of a collegiate soccer team, every day is a new challenge. My ride hasn't been the smoothest, but I didn't expect it to be easy. It's really gratifying to be part of something bigger than yourself and help push your team to its limits," he said.

Through his consistent effort and play on the practice field, Jende earned his first career start against Green Bay on Oct. 8 and took advantage of the opportunity. He scored his first career goal in the sixth minute to put his team up 1-0. Less than 12 minutes later, he added a second goal, completing a brace for his team in a 6-1 victory.

Check out the 🎥 highlights from last night's 6-1 Golden Eagles victory at Valley Fields!#WeAreMarquette | #MarquetteSoccer pic.twitter.com/HcIwu1fz04
— Marquette Soccer (@marquettesoccer) October 9, 2019

"We had lost our two prior games and the offense needed a spark," MU head coach Louis Bennett said. "This was no charity start either. Griffin had been working his tail off in practice and he earned the opportunity to start the match."

Netting a brace in your first career start is not exactly commonplace. The reactions from his teammates when those goals hit the back of the net told the story of how much those moments meant to both Jende and the team.

"To have something on the field that I can hang my hat on means everything," Jende said. "It was nice to see all my hard work on the practice field pay off. To share those moments with my teammates and coaches is great as they know what my journey here has been like. I'll remember that game forever."

The senior forward provides a perfect example of what it means to be a great teammate, both on and off the field.

"Players like Griffin don't come along all the time," Bennett said. "To have someone who gives everything he has, every day, irrespective of minutes played on the field, is a rarity. He's worked for everything he's got, and he's hugely respected within our program."

Jende's motivation for going out every day and trying to improve himself and his team comes from within.

"I think it's important to find value in what you do," Jende said. "Am I making the person ahead of me better? If the answer to that question is 'no,' then I'm not working hard enough."

A Waukesha, Wisconsin native, Jende will forgo his final year of eligibility next year to begin life in the working world. He earned his bachelor's degree in business administration last spring and he's working on a master's in accountancy. He also has a job lined up at PricewaterhouseCoopers (PwC) in Milwaukee, where he'll begin working next fall.

After his soccer career ends at MU, he still plans on attending as many games as he can next year as an alumnus.

Jende and the Golden Eagles return to action on Saturday, Nov. 2 against the Seton Hall Pirates for senior night at Valley Fields.

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

Griffin Jende

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