Peninsula Keeper Max Woithe Signs Professional Contract in Germany

PORT ANGELES, Wash. - Peninsula College goalkeeper Max Woithe is about to realize his childhood dream of playing professional soccer.

The North Region's Defensive Player of the Year left April 8 for Munster, Germany where he will sign a contract to play for SC PreuBen Munster, a high-level U-23 men's soccer club.

Woithe said his dream to one day play professional soccer was sidelined as a youth, playing soccer in Germany, until he accepted an offer to come to Peninsula College.

"When I came here, I never thought it would be this good," Woithe said of the level of soccer. "It was a big impact. If I never played here, I would never have this opportunity."

Woithe will sign a professional contract and begin playing April 14. The level he expects to be at will pay a modest salary and include housing. The SC Preuben Soccer facility itself is extraordinary, with a new stadium, and high-level training facilities. He also plans to continue his college education.

"Max has made an immediate and lasting impact at our program, Pirate head coach Jake Hughes said. "We have a rich history of top goalkeepers coming through our program, and Max is amongst the best of them. He is the first player to come through PC and jump straight into the professional level after one successful year. His influence on the team this year was integral in our success."

The freshman goal keeper credits his coaches and teammates for his success.

"Coach Jake (Hughes) gave me the opportunity to continue my career," Woithe said. "It was also nice to have a goalkeeper coach. He (Andrew Cooper) instilled confidence in me. He would say 'be you, just be yourself, you know what you can do.' "

And what could he do? He led the Northwest Athletic Conference in fewest goals-allowed with four, best goals-against average at 0.42 and best save percentage at .879.

Woithe also praised the experience he had with his teammates, citing how team captain Ezrah Ochoa motivated him. "He got me into the PC mentality of winning," Woithe said.

With Woithe in goal, the Pirates only loss of the season came in the quarterfinals in a heartbreaking 1-0 setback to Columbia Basin.

He also enjoyed playing with five other fellow Germans, as well as and others on the team.

"You're with them, not just in training, but all day every day," he said, noting the players room together at Collegiate Housing International. "It was such a fun experience. I am very grateful."

Woithe said he's looking forward to the challenge of playing professional soccer.

"They're older, more physical and now I won't be one of the best," he said. "I will have to show up even more. I want to take the challenge."

The Hildesheim, Germany native who began playing soccer at the age of five plans to show off his Olympic Peninsula home to his family when they come for a visit in early April and then return home to pursue his dream.

"My dream came one more step true," he said.

"We're really proud that PC has been an important step into achieving Max's dream of becoming a professional soccer player," Hughes said.