Rams goalkeeper makes transition to US lifestyle

10/23/08 - When junior goalkeeper Chris Pennock was given the opportunity to travel from his home in England to the United States, he never faced even a moment of hesitation. Upon arrival, he encountered a new and improved lifestyle that he said he would not trade for anything."It is a huge opportunity," Pennock said. "It is a lot different. It is just a better lifestyle overall."

In addition, Pennock noted the great change in culture.

"There is a huge, huge change in culture from back home in England," Pennock said. "It is not as hectic here as it is back home."

Despite his incredible athleticism, Pennock feels that he is no different than any other URI fan.

"I'm just a regular person," Pennock added. "There's nothing special about me, really."

Whether different or alike, the Rhody faithful are happy to have the England native. It did not take much to convince Pennock that URI was right for him.

"I talked to the coach," Pennock said. "I got to know the coach very well. I also got to talk to some of my teammates who were already on the team back then and they seemed to be nice lads so I guess it was just a combination of them two."

Pennock said he has yet to come across many similarities between the American lifestyle and England's way of life, but he has noticed slight differences, particularly on campus.

"It is a lot different just basically walking around the campus," Pennock said. "In England, most universities and colleges are situated within cities. In England you can walk to different places and you don't need to drive everywhere. It is a lot busier and closer in England. It is not as spread out as it is over here." Pennock also mentioned college soccer is a more popular here than it is in England.

When asked of any regrets about leaving his home country, Pennock was very direct in his answer.

"No! Not at all. No! I've loved every minute of it," Pennock said.

Despite the lifestyle that Pennock had encountered here in America, he still remembers where he came from.

"It's home," Pennock said. "It's hard to say. It's just different and it's hard to explain. I just like to be home I guess. I love to go home every once in a while."

Much of Pennock's talent is a result of the determination he's had from a young age.

"I joined my first team when I was about 9 years old just in the Sunday Morning League, but I've been playing since I can remember," Pennock said. "I've been kicking the ball since I was a little kid."

Pennock's journey toward being a URI goalkeeper started because of a slight disadvantage he faced while playing in the park. Because he was always the youngest player on the field, Pennock took goal and never left the position.

"I've always been a goalkeeper ever since I was a young kid," Pennock said. "Just playing with the other kids at the park, you know? They always put me in goal since I was the younger one just to get me out of the way, and ever since then I've played [goalkeeper]."

Rhody's goalkeeper said he feels that with the combination of his own athleticism and experience and that of his teammates, there is no reason for anything short of a successful end to his junior season.

"I'd like to hope that we can make the A-10 Tournament, and I think we've got a good chance making it," Pennock said, "and I also think we have a great chance to win it. I can't see why we can't advance to the later rounds of the NCAA's."

Pennock's love for soccer has not only helped him achieve success on the field, but it could also help him one day off the field. Pennock is currently majoring in kinesiology and when asked why he chose this major, his answer focused on one aspect and one aspect only.

"I guess it was just sports, you know, I'm interested in sports," Pennock said. "I got to meet a couple of physical therapists and people that work in the sports environment and they seemed to enjoy what they were doing. I've been around sports since I was a little kid."

On top of earning such honors as Atlantic 10 and ECAC Player of the Week, there is one particular instance in Pennock's life that he will never forget. It came a mere three years ago when he was just a freshman.

"When I first started here, I landed at the airport and I was late to preseason my freshman year," Pennock said. "I missed the first two weeks because I had to sort my visa situation out. So I landed and I got picked up from the airport and I drove to the coach's house where we were having a team meeting. As I walked out of the car, one of the players, instead of shaking my hand, he came up and kissed me on both cheeks. It was pretty embarrassing but it was a good introduction I guess.