Haiti is one of the poorest countries in the world due in large part to political instability. In 2003, nearly 80 percent of the population was living in poverty. It also consistently ranks among one of the most corrupt countries in the world.
Stanley Mathurin, a junior defender on the men’s soccer team, lived in Haiti for the first 18 years of his life. Coming to the United States has opened up better opportunities and given him hope for a future in soccer, he said.
“There a lot of similarities between soccer in Haiti and soccer in the United States,” he said. “The main difference is that they are two completely different environments.”
Mathurin, who moved to the United States in 2003, attended one year of high school in Miami, Fla., before leaving his family behind to focus on soccer at Jefferson College, a junior college in Missouri.
After helping his team to a junior college national championship, Mathurin transferred to State in an attempt to achieve his goal of playing in the professional league Major League Soccer.
“I’m trying my best to make it,” he said. “But, not everything always works out exactly the way you want it. I’m working towards my degree as well, in case soccer doesn’t work out.”
Outside of soccer, Mathurin majors in criminal justice and said he would one day like to work for the government.
“I think I would really enjoy working for the government if I don’t make it to the pros,” he said.
While keeping his big dreams in mind, Mathurin said he is still trying to adjust to the different style of play present in the ACC.
“Playing for a junior college and then coming to the ACC is a completely different level,” he said. “Everyone is much faster and stronger.”
Coach George Tarantini said it’s difficult to improve coming from such a different style of play, but the maturity that Mathurin possesses will help him to progress in the future.
“Let’s face it, coming to play in the ACC is not easy, but his attitude is really good. And his work rate is excellent,” Tarantini said. “He played well against St. Louis and UCLA, but the league is the league. The league is tough.”
His intensity has gotten him caught up in a few penalties this season, including a red card in the team’s 4-0 loss to Wake Forest. While some fans perceive Mathurin as a rough player, he said he never has any intentions of harming another player.
“I want to win,” he said. “I’m going to fight for the ball, and sometimes I hit the guy. When you’re trying to get your team going, sometimes things happen even if you don’t mean it.”
Tarantini blames himself when rough situations occur and agreed that Mathurin isn’t in it for foul play. He said Mathurin must learn to understand and control his emotions.
Overall, Tarantini said Mathurin is a good person and accurately applies to his 33 percent rule for recruiting.
“You have to be 33 percent a good player, 33 percent a good student and 34 percent a good person,” he said. “He has all three of the things that we are looking for. The beauty of N.C. State is that it’s full of chance and opportunity. Somebody like him can make a difference in the community one day.”
