Til Kauschke was once set on playing professional soccer in Germany; it was when he tore his meniscus at 17 years old that his view on his future changed.
“I had a different view on my opportunities,” Kauschke said. “I wanted to study and play football, or soccer, and I think the combination is best [in the US] ... I lived 20 years in Hamburg in the same area, with the same people. And I thought I might be ready to move somewhere and get a bit of life experience.”
Kauschke chose to come to Seton Hall because he felt that the coaches really wanted him on the team. He had previously only been to the United States once before college, on a trip to Chicago. However, he said he’s interested in New York City and cited the proximity of Seton Hall to NYC as a factor in his decision.
“I’d been one time when I was 13,” Kauschke said. “There I first experienced how America really is and saw how big sports are in America.”
Kauschke started his youth career in Hamburger S.V.’s youth academy before moving to their rival F.C. St. Pauli in 2021, playing for their U19 team. This year, he joined Seton Hall’s men’s soccer team, to which he said he tried to come in with as little expectations as possible.
“I didn’t know what the level would be like, how hard they play soccer, and how good my teammates would be,” Kauschke said. “I think it helped me a lot that I had experienced a full year of adult level, playing against like 30-year-olds.”
He ultimately adjusted very well to the team, starting every game this season and contributing three goals and four assists. The first of those goals came against Manhattan on Sept .1, winning the game for Seton Hall in the 68th minute with the only goal of the match. Kauschke’s second goal of the season came against Harvard on Sept. 14, which he celebrated by mimicking Cole Palmer’s iconic “cold” celebration.
“I like him and the transformation he made over only one year,” he said of Palmer. “From being a substitute for Man City to going to Chelsea and being a bit of an underdog and then [having] this great season.”
His third goal came in the form of a penalty kick conversion against Xavier.
“When the referee went to check [video assistant referee] VAR, I already knew that I wanted to take it,” Kauschke said. “I wanted to show them that I [can] do iit. That’s why I shot it down the middle.”
Kauschke considers himself a very technical player. He acknowledges that he isn’t the quickest player, but he makes up for it by seeing where the pitch and free space are. He said he’s also confident in playing with both of his feet.
Despite adjusting very well on the pitch, Kauschke has had some obstacles off the pitch. Kauschke said he does not easily get homesick, but there are a few things he misses about Germany including driving, the food, and family and friends.
He has an older sister, Liv, who is very “sporty” as well having done gymnastics when she was younger. According to Kauschke, they have a very typical sibling relationship and have stayed in contact during his time in the United States.
Also, having not been in school over the last year, Kauschke said he’s had to adjust to being back in school. It’s even more of a challenge, considering that his schoolwork is in a completely new language.
However, his experience has been made easier with his teammates, such as junior defender Konstantin Donalies who Kauschke said he’s able to share experiences in the German language.
“It’s nice to have another German on the team who’s been here two years so he can tell me some of his experiences in German,” Kauschke said.
Donalies has been a starter for three seasons and has already experienced what it’s like playing against the BIG EAST’s toughest opponents.
Kauschke also said he has a good relationship with his other teammates too, and he enjoys hanging out with them in his free time.
“I think we bonded really quick, and we are good friends now,” Kauschke said.
The team ended on an overall record of 11-6-1, one of their most successful seasons in a long while. With the season officially over, their sights are now set on next year.
Ace Crawford is a writer for The Setonian’s Sports section. Ace can be reached at grace.crawford@student.shu.edu.
