Landmark Conference Friday Focus: Brandon Weiner

Note: This story was originally featured on the Landmark Conference's official website on December 12.

The Landmark Conference is full of talented student-athletes and the "Friday Focus" is just one way fans can get to know them. This week the conference introduces Brandon Weiner (Derwood, Md./Col. Zadok A. Magruder), Goucher men's soccer player.

Weiner finished his career as a two-time All-Landmark selection after earning First Team honors this fall. A leader on the Gophers' back line, Weiner was also an attacking presence finishing the season with three goals and two assists. He ranked second on the team in scoring and notched the team's game-tying goal against Susquehanna to secure Goucher's first appearance in the Landmark playoffs.

Brandon Weiner
Senior, Men's Soccer
Derwood, Md./Colonel Zadok Magruder 
Major: Business and Economics

Why did you choose to attend Goucher?
The unique approach to education, the opportunity to play soccer, the location, and the different possibilities provided for a person with celiac disease (gluten free)

What has been the greatest part of your experience as a college athlete so far?
Meeting past teammates that are currently in a variety of different jobs/professions, and gaining perspective from them at our alumni dinners.

Who has been the most influential person during your athletic career? Why?
My first club coach when I moved to Maryland was also the local high school coach. I never got to play on the high school team for him though as he died the year before from a brain tumor. He was the one that taught me more about soccer than I could ever imagine. He taught me how to be humble and how to read the game as a defender. He shared his college experiences with our team and ever since then I had wanted to play in college. Whether it was D1 or D3, I just knew I had to play. 

What was your most embarrassing sports moment?
I used to play goalie when I was younger and we were playing our final Region 1 game of the year which we needed to win in order to win the league. We were winning 2-1 and in the last couple mins of the game the other team crossed the ball in and one of their forwards volleyed it from about the 6 on goal. I got a finger to it and then turned around to see where the ball went and it hit the crossbar and hit me in the face and then rolled in the goal. It was pretty funny. 

Where do you see yourself in five years?
Just having received an MBA or a Masters in Finance, and working in Behavioral Finance for a firm.

What do you like most about competing in the Landmark?
The fact that every game could either be we won or lost because the margin for error is so small. 

What is something most people do not know about you?
I'm type 1 diabetic

Who was your favorite athlete as a child and why?
Steven Gerrard...He was young, inspiring, and talented, I loved watching him play.

Rapid Fire

Favorite food: Steak
Favorite band/artist: Tiesto 
Favorite TV show: Game of Thrones 
Favorite book: Predictably Irrational 
Favorite movie: Pearl Harbor 
Favorite class you've taken: Mergers and Acquisitions 
Favorite place to visit: Family farm in Illinois 
Favorite sport (besides soccer): Hockey 
Favorite holiday: 4th of July 
Can't live without: Popsicles