Fabian Veit was living the life he had dreamed about since he began playing soccer.
The Dielheim, Germany, native who came up through the academy ranks at 1899 Hoffenheim of the Bundesliga had just embarked on the start of his professional career with Karlsruher SC, a second-division Bundesliga club. But something just didn't feel right - something was missing.
That's when the goalkeeper made the decision to head to the United States and go back to school, eventually enrolling at the University of Charleston.
"It was always my dream, but when I got there, I realized that it didn't make me happy," Veit said. "I really missed being in school, getting an education, and that made me look for something where I could go and get an education while being able to play."
Thanks to an NCAA rule that allows athletes who had been professionals overseas either in high school or one year out to play at the Division II level, Veit's previous experience in Germany didn't keep him from being able to continue his soccer career with the Golden Eagles and coach Chris Grassie.
In the time since he arrived in Charleston, Veit has been able to pursue his studies in three majors - finance, business administration and accounting - and has started to leave behind a legacy that will make him arguably the most decorated goalkeeper in school history by the time all is said and done this season.
With the No. 1 Golden Eagles sitting atop the Division II national polls at 7-0 this season, and allowing just three goals in those six games, Veit's record in goal for Charleston is 60-9-2.
He broke the school's clean sheet record on Sept. 15 when Charleston topped Seton Hill 2-0 for the 35th shutout of his career.
"He's been a guy we've been able to rely on back there for a long time now," Grassie said. "When we have needed him to come up with big games, he has. It makes life easier when you have someone like him in goal."
While it certainly means a lot to Veit to be able to look back and say he's been able to accomplish the things he's done at UC, he's also quick to deflect some of that praise to the defenders who have helped to take some of the pressure off him over the years.
"That's not really an individual record, I don't think. I feel like that shows more about the quality we've had and the good work we do as a team," Veit said. "My defenders are great, we communicate really well and they make it so much easier on me. We make a good team back there."
It's also helped that Veit has had the consistency he's had on the back line in terms of the personnel playing alongside of him defensively.
Defenders Jake Young and Bruno Oliveira have started since they were freshmen with Veit, and they have grown to have outstanding chemistry and work with one another extremely well.
Those three also represent the meshing of different cultures that Charleston has been able to master in recent years and has helped guide them to success. It was another big reason Veit was interested in coming over to the U.S., to be able to have the opportunity to play with and against people from other countries and learn more about them.
In addition to Veit and his fellow German Patrick Guier, there are players from 12 other countries on this year's UC roster - including players from the United States, Canada, Ghana, Brazil, Italy, England, France, Wales, India, Netherlands, Trinidad and New Zealand.
"Everyone has their own style of play, their own things they do, but it somehow all works," Veit said. "This is one of the best experiences I've had because I've gotten to work with people from all over the world who come from different backgrounds and it's been very exciting to get their view on everything."
Charleston has had unprecedented success since Veit has stepped in as the goalkeeper a few years ago. They have three Mountain East Conference titles, two national semifinal appearances with one of those ending in a trip to the national title game in 2014. UC has emerged as one of the premier Division II programs in the country.
As his college career begins to wind down this season, Veit isn't quite sure what's on the horizon. He doesn't know if he'll stay in school to get his master's degree, but he knows he wants to start and run his own business one day.
He also knows he loves this beautiful game he's been playing for a large portion of his life, and he wants to go out on top.
For now, that's where his focus lies.
"Right now we're No. 1, but we know being ranked there now doesn't mean anything," Veit said. "We want to go out as the No. 1 team in December after the national final."
Contact Michael Carvelli at 304-348-4810 or michael.carvelli@wvgazettemail.com. Follow him on Twitter @carvelli3.