Brandeis men's soccer head coach Gabe Margolis can’t help but notice an interesting quirk about star midfielder Josh Ocel.
"He’s kind of like two people," the firstyear head coach said about the star of his Division 3 national semifinal-bound team. "He’s fantastic and incredibly goodnatured and easygoing off the field. He is the polar opposite of that on the field. As soon as we walk out out of that tunnel and it’s time for practice, he’s focused and he’s all business."
Ocel laughs upon hearing Margolis’ claim that he has a Jekyll-and-Hyde personality. He also is quick to agree with him.
"In the training room, I always have a smile on my face, I’m never very serious," Ocel said. "But then when it comes to playing, I’m not very nice on the field."
That all-business mentality on the pitch has led to a successful and noteworthy career for the North Attleboro, Mass., native. Ocel earned All-University Athletic Association first-team honors again after notching four goals and eight assists in the regular season. He now is just the second athlete in UAA history to earn four consecutive league first-team honors.
