Tracy’s Memorable Collegiate Career Ends In Another College Cup Appearance

By Andy Hutchison

Newtown High School alumnus Marcus Tracy (Class of 2005) knew the potential was there for a memorable collegiate soccer career when he signed on to play at Wake Forest University in Winston-Salem, N.C. Four seasons later, Tracy can look back and not second-guess the decision.

“When I picked Wake Forest I thought I picked a place that would set me up for success,” Tracy said. “In the end it definitely exceeded my expectations.”

Making three College Cup (the equivalent of college basketball’s Final Four) appearances and capturing a national title will do that.

The senior forward’s collegiate soccer career came to an end when the top-seeded Demon Deacons fell 1-0 to North Carolina in the NCAA Tournament’s semifinals on December 14. It was a disappointing finish to an overall rewarding tenure at the Carolina school.

“Things didn’t go our way, but that happens in sports,” said Tracy, adding that his may have been the better team, but North Carolina was the better team on this particular day.

Tracy and his teammates won a national championship last year.

“That was incredible. I think it’s the goal of almost every college athlete to win a championship or make it to the final four,” Tracy said. “That was a dream come true.”

He is hoping to play soccer overseas next month and is not ruling out possibly playing Major League Soccer here in the states. Going to Europe is the goal of this 6-foot-1 player.

Speaking of goals, Tracy netted 13 to help the Deacons to a school record-setting 81 goals this season. Along with four teammates, Tracy (an economics major) earned All-American honors.

Tracy was a standout at Newtown High and won a state championship in his senior year, helping the Nighthawks to the Class LL crown.

“Newtown is always in the back of my mind. Those four years were also incredible,” he said.