Senior soccer striker Cade Bergman came in clutch for West Ashley High School on Senior Night against Stratford High. He scored a goal in the last minute of the game to tie it up 1-1. After a five-minute stalemate in overtime, each team took their penalty kicks. West Ashley’s goalkeeper saved the first shot and Bergman scored the last penalty kick to earn West Ashley the win.
After Bergman’s Senior Night performance, assistant coach Ryan Stonaker nominated him to be this week’s Athlete of the Week. “Cade is the epitome of the definition of student-athlete,” says Stonaker. When asked how he felt about being named Athlete of the Week, Bergman said, “I was really excited; I’ve wanted to [be one] since I found out about it sophomore year.”
Soccer has been a significant part of Bergman’s life for the past 11 years. He started playing in his backyard with his dad when he was in elementary school. Bergman’s dad signed him up for recreational soccer, and soon after, he advanced to club. He played for Porter Gaud his freshman year before he transferred to West Ashley. “I wanted a school where I fit in better and could play 4A vs. 3A soccer,” says Bergman.
In addition to playing Varsity soccer for West Ashley and club soccer for Daniel Island, Bergman is a member of the National Honor Society, Young Life, and Teach the Need. He also does community service at the Ronald McDonald House and the Teacher Supply Closet. “Cade’s success both on and off the field has led to him being able to play soccer at the next level,” says Coach Stonaker.
Bergman has had an outstanding senior season so far, especially considering the fact that he tore his ACL and had surgery last April. He was unable to do any sort of physical activity other than physical therapy for five months while he recovered. He was excited to be able to return for his senior season and college tryouts. A mere 25 days prior to his college tryout, the doctor finally cleared him to play.
During the tryout, Bergman managed to score a goal very early in the game, and at the end, one with his left foot and the other with his right. “It was the first thing my [college] coach mentioned,” says Bergman.
When he was in middle school, Bergman spent lots of time practicing his shooting technique and focusing on learning how to shoot with both feet. “My dad said it would pay off, but I didn’t believe him. It came in clutch though,” says Bergman. It ended up being a deciding factor in his college tryout, and he was offered a scholarship.
After Bergman graduates from high school, he plans to attend the University of South Carolina Aiken, where he has already received a soccer scholarship. He wants to major in nursing and minor in computer science. He says he would like to pursue soccer after college, but he wants to have his degree to fall back on.

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