The transition to college can often be very difficult time for
freshmen. In the case of John DiRaimondo and Brian Grazier,
however, this is not the case. The two newest additions to Saint
Louis University’s men’s soccer team are taking college life with
an easy-going approach.

DiRaimondo and Grazier were both have been teammates and
roommates in Florida for a residency with the U-17 U.S. Men’s
National Team. Having been through an accelerated high school
program, both graduated a year early. They both agree that the
freedom to go out and enjoy themselves has been one of the most
enjoyable aspects of college life.

“Residency was an extremely intense and controlled environment,”
said DiRaimondo, on his time doing training in Florida, “it was
very strict and all about soccer.” DiRaimondo, a St. Louis native,
relishes the opportunity to be back home. For him, SLU was an
obvious choice. In the case of Grazier, the same can be said.

“It was my childhood dream to attend Saint Louis,” said Grazier.
“It is close to home (Edwardsville, Ill), and it is a great soccer
school.”

As for the talents these two bring to the game, they are nothing
short of brilliant. “They are not unknowns,” said assistant coach
Mike Sorber. “They come in with a wealth of experience.”

When asked about the two players’ specific roles on the team,
Sorber noted that, “All we expect out of each player is class and
for them to show their best ability.”

With DiRaimondo slated to play on the outside flanks of the
field, and Grazier settled in the middle, the two add a dynamic
offering to the rest of the teams in the nation.

At SLU, Grazier is a self-described dirty-worker, where he likes
to set the tempo of the game, as opposed to his role on the
national team, where he was made to win 50/50 balls.

DiRaimondo, as described by Sorber, “is very versatile
and can be seen playing almost anywhere.”

With DiRaimondo netting the game winner versus Clemson over the
weekend, perhaps his versatility is evident.

In fact, freshmen accounted for both goals in that game, in
goals and assists.

A week earlier, Grazier and DiRaimondo were named to the
all-tournament team at Virginia’s Adidas Classic, along with senior
defender Kevin Wickart and Billiken goalie Martin Hutton.

With only four games under their belt, it seems like the college
soccer world is at their fingertips ,with nothing to stop these
talented freshman as they help out the rest of their Billiken
teammates.

“I want to win a national championship,” said Grazier. “We’re
young, and there are a lot of good freshman,” he added.