NORTHFIELD, Minn. – Senior forward
Hakeem Morgan of the St. Olaf College men's soccer team was called up to the Costa Rica U-23 National Team for a pair of upcoming friendlies, as announced on Friday.
Following Thursday's announcement, Morgan will join the team for Costa Rica's home international friendly matches during the October FIFA window against Colombia on Oct. 14 and Oct. 17. Kickoff times are 8 p.m. and 5 p.m. local time. The senior is one of just two NCAA student-athletes on the 23-player roster for the friendlies.
"This opportunity means a lot to me as it's always a great feeling to see how all the hours of dedication that I have put into this sport to have these types of opportunities are slowly becoming a reality," Morgan said. "That being said, I would've never been able to do it without being surrounded by such great talent and an elite competitive environment every single day at practice with my teammates and coaches, who have pushed me to be better and improve my game daily. I am very grateful for being part of this program because I know that I would not be having this opportunity if it wasn't for what we have built at St. Olaf over the last few years."
Morgan has been an integral part of St. Olaf's teams over the last three seasons, recording 78 points on 29 goals and 20 assists in 47 games. Morgan ranks tied for second in program history in game-winning goals (10), tied for third in shots (191), fourth in shots on goal (94), fifth in points and assists, and sixth in goals despite playing just two-and-a-half seasons to date as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic.
As a sophomore in 2021, the Costa Rican was named a United Soccer Coaches and D3soccer.com Second Team All-American, was a United Soccer Coaches First Team All-Region selection, and earned All-Minnesota Intercollegiate Athletic Conference (MIAC) honors after recording 39 points on 15 goals and nine assists in 22 games. His totals of 15 goals and 39 points both rank tied for second in a single season in program history, while his nine assists are tied for fifth. Morgan's six game-winning goals that season are tied for the most in a season in program history.
Despite being limited to 16 games due to injury in 2022, Morgan compiled 22 points on six goals and 10 assists, with the 10 assists ranking tied for third on the program's single-season list. Since the start of 2021, Morgan has helped lead the Oles to a combined record of 39-11-4, including a mark of 20-2-2 in MIAC play, and back-to-back appearances in the "Sweet 16", making St. Olaf one of just five programs across the country to accomplish the latter feat. His play also led to St. Olaf winning the 2021 MIAC regular-season title with a perfect 10-0-0 record and claiming the 2022 MIAC Playoff title.
