Willamette University men's soccer player Max Berner-Hays (Sr., D, Seattle, WA/Ballard HS), who earned his bachelor's degree in December, has been able to realize his dream of playing professional soccer after signing with MSV Pampow in the NOFV Oberliga North league in Germany. He signed in January and will be with MSC Pampow through at least July with the option to stay longer.
"I was signed as a central defender, but I have played right back at times this season," Berner-Hays explained.
For Berner-Hays, it's a great way to start his professional career. MSV Pampow is in the German fifth division.
"I am really excited about playing with MSV Pampow because I get to experience playing at a higher level, all while getting to explore and live in Europe," Berner-Hays commented. "I have already gotten to see Hamburg, Berlin, and a bunch of smaller cities in northern Germany and went to Paris for the weekend.
"Pampow is located in the state of Mecklenburg in the north, about an hour from Hamburg," Berner-Hays said. "It has only a few thousand people but it's right next to Schwerin, which is a larger city of about 100,000."
Burner-Hays has been able to form friendships with his new teammates. They spend a lot of time together at practices and while traveling to and from road games. Team members also get together when they're away from soccer.
"I have really enjoyed becoming part of the team on and off the field," Berner-Hays asserted. "We play card games during our long bus rides home from matches. My teammates have been very welcoming to me."
Even so, it's been an adjustment for Berner-Hays, even with family ties to Germany. At Willamette, he was used to very busy days each week with practices, classes, homework, and traveling for road games. Other than practice and games, many of his days now are mostly open.
"I think the biggest challenge has been going from a very full schedule and knowing everyone to a pretty empty schedule with less people around. Over the first two months, I was able to keep myself busy by working more and volunteering at an international school nearby," Berner-Hays said.
Although there have been some challenges, Berner-Hays has excelled in his new environment and has worked to make the most of his time in Pampow. He has been able to create some special moments since beginning his professional career.
"My favorite moment has been scoring my first goal or perhaps it was our first home win where we came back from 2-0 down to win 3-2," Berner-Hays noted.
Dealing with a relatively new language can be a major stumbling block toward success, but Berner-Hays has experienced a pretty smooth transition to life in Germany.
"My German is very minimal but lots of people speak a little bit of English, so we can make it work," he said. "It leads to funny conversations. In Paris, I mainly spoke English but used a few simple French words."
The experiences Berner-Hays had as a student-athlete at Willamette gave him significant knowledge as a player and a person to be ready for a move across the globe for a career in soccer.
"My time at Willamette has helped prepare me for this experience because I know how important it is to be a part of the team off the field as well as on the field," Berner-Hays commented. "It has also allowed me to become a very valuable asset at the international school in their English classes."
It's been a great time for Berner-Hays. He has been able to advance his soccer skills at the professional level, meet and compete on the field with new teammates, travel throughout parts of Europe, and even help others learn English at an international school.
At Willamette, Berner-Hays was named All-Region X for NCAA Division III in the fall of 2021. He was selected First Team All-Northwest Conference in 2017, 2018, and 2019, and was chosen Second Team All-NWC in 2021. In addition, he was named NWC Men's Soccer Freshman of the Year in 2017 and NWC Men's Soccer Defensive Player of the Year in 2018.
This past season, Berner-Hays led Willamette's defense as the Bearcats held opponents to just 18 goals in 17 games. Willamette recorded six shutouts and held six opponents to one goal. While contributing on offensive set pieces, Berner-Hays scored three goals and registered three assists for nine points. He started 16 games and provided WU with 22 total shots, including 15 shots on goal.
During his career with the Bearcats, Berner-Hays played in 71 games and made 71 starts. He scored 20 goals and registered nine assists for 49 total points. He produced 106 total shots with 54 shots on target. He scored nine game-winning goals.
His efforts on defense helped Willamette hold opponents without a goal 28 times, including nine shutouts in 2019. Berner-Hays was a key player in 2017 with six goals and one assist, as Willamette earned seven shutouts, tied for the NWC Championship, and qualified for the NCAA Division III Tournament.
Willamette finished the 2021 season with a 12-4-1 record, including 10-3-1 (2nd place) in the Northwest Conference. The Bearcats registered six shutout wins. WU has earned a 52-19-11 (.701) record over the past five seasons.
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