Andrew Wenger approaches soccer like a young man with no memory.

It’s as if he has no recollection of his elite team honors, his championships squads or the fact that he was recently named the NSCAA Boys High School Player of the Year.

The PA Classics midfielder prefers to pursue the game as though he’s accomplished nothing; like he has a gap in his knowledge that he’s desperately trying to fill.

“I just try to be a sponge, and pick all the things up that I can. I try to keep my ears and eyes open,” Wenger said. “Growing up you see that there are all kinds of good players and some of them don’t make it to the next level. It’s learning the little things that can make a big difference and separate the better players.”

What separates Wenger from most players is his understanding of the entire field, and how his position affects the other 10 on the pitch.

This is partly because of his past experience playing as a central defender, which now allows him to see the game from a unique perspective. Wenger is a versatile scorer and playmaker with good athletic ability, but it’s his intangibles – soccer IQ, anticipation – that make him special.

“He’s a good athlete with a first-rate brain,” said PA Classics coach Stephen Klein. “What’s great about him is his personality is low key and he has a blue collar work ethic. He can play any position on the field. He has good size and technical ability, but he’s very receptive to coaching and eager to improve.”

Wenger will attend Duke next season, choosing the Blue Devils over a high-profile list of possibilities that included Maryland, Wake Forest and Indiana. He’ll look to provide a jolt for a team that lost in the first round of the NCAA’s last season.

“I think he’s going to be a great fit. In his heart that’s where he really wanted to go,” Klein said. “The only thing I would say about Andrew is sometimes he can be too hard on himself. He has to continue to find the balance between working hard and relaxing a little bit.”

Wenger’s passion for soccer comes from having it taken away.

During his sophomore year he contracted a staph infection that wiped him out for a month and a half. Being away from the field revealed to him just how serious he was about playing.

Now his enthusiasm and intensity are on full display while leading the PA Classics (5-3-2 in the Academy's Mid-Atlantic division) alongside teammates such as defenseman Josh Shutter.

Where Wenger doesn’t get overzealous, though, is in acknowledging his own achievements.

Even when it’s of the national variety, and he’s invited to an award ceremony that includes other standouts Earl Edwards, Brianne Rodriguez, Amber Brooks and Kristen Mewis.

“It’s a cool honor when you’re awarded things like the [NSCAA] High School Player of the Year but it’s not something I want to dwell on,” he said. “In the grand scheme it really doesn’t mean anything. It was a nice award, but I’m just looking to move forward.”