Pharr native Brandon Morales traded the Rio Grande Valley in 2019 for the Northeast college town of Ithaca, New York, where the 23-year-old student athlete attends Cornell University.
Morales is enjoying a breakout soccer season with Cornell, tallying eight goals and eight assists to help lead the Big Red into the Sweet 16 of the NCAA Division I Tournament.
Cornell University takes on Syracuse University at 1 p.m. Sunday at Syracuse University. The game will be aired live on ESPN+.
“Syracuse is probably one of the toughest teams we played all season,” Morales said. “It was a very tough game. The defenders I will be going up against are all above 6-2. They are not scared to put a kick in, but neither are we. It is going to be a battle.”
Cornell beat Syracuse 2-1 in a non-conference match in early October.
Morales made the move to the Ivy League school in 2019 after being the first player from the RGV FC Academy to sign with the Toros in 2018. In his 2019 freshman campaign, Morales led the team with four assists on 15 appearances.
COVID-19 struck down the 2020 season and in 2021, Morales only made one start and tallied eight appearances off the bench.
“Last year was a struggle,” Morales said. “This year has made everything worth it.”
Morales operates a second striker in Cornell’s 4-4-2 formation. He is tasked with operating in advanced positions where he operates as a free roaming No. 10, creating opportunities with his teammates, he said.
His eight goals and assists earned him a spot on the All-Ivy’s first team and helps set an example for his teammates, Morales said.
“I am a captain without an armband,” Morales said. “I am the one who brings the energy. I have been able to score or assist and keep producing these game-winning moments this season. I am very happy for that.”
Morales graduates from Cornell next May. He is majoring in hotel administration with a minor focus on real estate, leaving the former RGV FC product with plenty of options in the next few months.
Morales has another year of eligibility because of the canceled season, but it would have to accompany graduate school. The other options are professional soccer or the job market.
“My parents and I are very methodical,” Morales said. “We want to choose the best option where my future is secure. You never know in this sport; you can break a leg or tear an ACL, and you can no longer play.”
Morales is excited about the prospects of having a degree from an Ivy League school, he said.
May is still months away, so for now, the Pharr native is focused on beating Syracuse and extending his fantastic season with Cornell University.