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Jorge Gomez Sanchez A Goal Scoring Star For Temple Soccer

PHILADELPHIA (CBS) -- The Temple University men's soccer team has enjoyed a strong start to the 2016 campaign. After playing Memphis to a scoreless draw on Saturday in an American Athletic Conference match-up, the Owls sit at 6-3-1 here in 2016 (0-1-1 in the AAC).

A big reason for Temple's success has been the play of senior midfielder Jorge Gomez Sanchez.

A native of Spain, Gomez Sanchez is in his second year at Temple and he has proven to be one of the top offensive forces in the country. Through ten games this season he is tied for third in the nation with ten goals. He also has three assists and his 23 points, which also ties him for third in the country.

Gomez Sanchez talks about coming to Temple - and the United States - for the first time prior to last season.

"I was nervous because I didn't know what I was going to see here," Gomez Sanchez tells KYW Newsradio. "My teammates, I didn't know anyone, didn't know the campus. So it was really interesting for me."

Listen to the entire interview with Temple's Jorge Gomez Sanchez

 

It didn't take long for him to realize he had made the right decision by becoming an Owl.

"It was a surprise for me, because from the first moment I felt like I was at home," he says. "I think a great part of it were the coaches and teammates that made me feel as if I was at home."

As you would imagine, Gomez Sanchez grew up playing soccer in Spain and he talks about the differences in the game here in the US compared to his home country.

"Here in America, the players are more physical, they are stronger," Gomez Sanchez says. "I think they work a lot in the gym. In Spain, they are better tactically."

The goal scoring grabs the headlines for Gomez Sanchez but he says that's not all his game is about.

"I am also a hard worker," he says. "I like to play for the team, I like to defend."

Gomez Sanchez has hopes of playing soccer professionally but there is still a lot of his senior season left at Temple and he says the Owls are just getting started.

"I think we can do good things this year," he says. "Our goal is to get to the NCAA Tournament and to try to win the conference. We have a lot of potential."

Temple returns to the pitch on Tuesday to host Villanova.

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