second among league freshmen, with 17 points, and third with seven goals. Klukowski was also the leading NEC scorer in league play with six goals and 14 points.

“As a freshman I didn’t know what to expect,” Klukowski said. “Every game was a new experience, so I just gave it everything I had and tried to play to my strengths.” When Holder finished his career at Central in 2005, he left a void in the playmaking department; Klukowski filled it.

As a sophomore, Klukowski totaled another 17 points. He scored three goals and had 11 assists, leading all NCAA Division I players with .733 assists per game. Klukowski earned his second straight first team all-conference selection and was named an All-North Atlantic honoree by NSCAA/adidas following the season, but the Blue Devils, who were ranked in the nation’s top 20 early in the season, failed to qualify for the NEC Tournament.

“I was hugely disappointed to miss out on the NEC Tournament last year,” Klukowski said. “I felt we had a strong team, but we were unlucky with injuries to key players throughout the season.”

Despite the setback, Klukowski forged ahead, spending the beginning of his summer playing in the Premier Development League for the Ottawa Fury. And on July 2, Great Britain announced its World University Games roster. Klukowski was one of 20 players selected to play in the August games.

“It was an honor for our soccer program and the University,” Blue Devil head coach Shaun Green said. “Yan works so hard on perfecting his skills. If any student-athlete deserved to perform on such a high stage, it is definitely Yan.”

CCSU Director of Intercollegiate Athletics C.J. Jones, Jr., echoed Green’s thoughts. “To have Blue Devil soccer players play in consecutive World University Games is an honor for the men’s soccer program, the department, and the University,” Jones said. “Yan’s accomplishment is a testament to the hard work and dedication he, his teammates, and his coaching staff display every day.”

Among other preparations for the trip to Bangkok, Klukowski spoke with Harrison, who had played for Great Britain at the 2005 World University Games in Kizmir, Turkey. “Alex told me to enjoy the experience, because I would not be in a similar situation unless it was the Olympics or World Cup,” Klukowski said. 

The 20-player team, which comprised 16 U.S.-based players (the largest contingent ever for a Great Britain team at the Games), drew Morocco, Mexico, and Kazakhstan in Group D. 

Klukowski scored twice during Great Britain’s opening three contests, helping lead the squad into quarterfinal round action versus Canada. He registered his first goal in the team’s opener, a 1-1 tie versus Mexico on Aug. 7. Trailing 1-0 in the second half, Klukowski’s equalizer forced a shootout to determine who would advance to quarterfinal action if the teams were level on points. Great Britain won, 5-4, on penalty kicks with Klukowski scoring on the team’s first chance.

A physical education major at Central, Klukowski jumpstarted a Great Britain comeback victory against Morocco on Aug. 9. With the team again trailing 1-0 at the half, Klukowski evened the score and started a 4-0 run. Great Britain then clinched the top spot in Group D with a 1-0 victory against Kazakhstan. 

Klukowski’s squad lost to Canada in the quarterfinals and finished the Games with an eighth place effort.

“It was one of the greatest experiences of my life,” Klukowski said. “To be involved in a tournament of that magnitude was fantastic. I saw a host of people from different parts of the world, so that in itself is a great experience.”

With the Games behind him, Klukowski has pressed on. He is determined to work CCSU back into the NEC Tournament.

“Yan has been a brilliant captain for our team,” Green said. “He has stepped it up time and time again and demonstrated a high-level of commitment to this program.”