Most athletes can only dream of making it to the professional level, but for one Baker soccer player that dream may come true.

Senior Matt Germain will travel to Texas at the end of April in hopes of signing a contract with the Austin Aztex, a professional-level soccer team. Germain tried out for the team earlier this year and was offered an invitation to return at the end of the school year.

“I’m going to go down there probably at the end of April because I’m going to try to graduate early and my plans are to try to get a contract,” Germain said.

Germain will practice with the Aztex and if offered a contract, will begin competing with the team midseason.

Germain took the initiative to seek out a professional career, but through the process has received support and encouragement from Baker head soccer coach Nate Houser.

“I asked him what he wanted to do and I said I would do everything to help him, but he went and tried out on his own initiative, which I think is an important step when you begin to make the game your career,” Houser said.

Houser said Germain has always been a talented athlete on the field and hopes he can convert that talent into a successful professional career.

“I’m just really excited for Matt,” Houser said. “When I first took over the program, he was somebody that had something a little bit special. He sees the game very well and he is technically good.”

Houser said Germain has the skills to compete at the professional level, but believes he will have to adopt the lifestyle of a professional athlete to be successful.

“You can’t be a professional athlete and just train to do it,” Houser said. “I mean you have to prepare your body all the time and you have to change a lot of the things that college students do and have a lot of discipline. I think if he does that, he is going to have a really good chance to do some really special things.”

Senior Elliott Harvey has played alongside Germain for four years and said he couldn’t be happier for his teammate.

“I’m excited for if he makes it because I would love to go down to Texas and watch him play,” Harvey said. “It’s just a good opportunity for him to get out there and let everybody else see his talent.”

Now the wait is on. Germain will finish out the next month of school, then make the journey down to Texas in the hopes that he will get to stay.

"I'm nervous about not getting a contract, but I am excited for the opportunity," Germain said. "This is something that I have wanted to do forever." <br/>