Berner-Hays Contributes to Men's Soccer Team on Defense ... and on Offense
By Robert McKinney, Assistant Athletics Director, Communications
SALEM, Ore. -- Max Berner-Hays (Sr., D, Seattle, WA/Ballard HS) has been an outstanding defender for Willamette University since joining the Bearcat men's soccer team as a first-year player in 2017-18. He was named NWC Freshman of the Year in 2017 and was chosen as the NWC Defensive Player of the Year in 2018. His contributions, however, go beyond his defensive efforts. He has scored 17 goals and earned six assists to establish himself as an offensive threat on the end of set pieces. He led Willamette in scoring with six goals and one assist (13 points) in 2017 and led the team again in 2018 with nine goals and four assists (22 points) in 2018. He has played in 55 games in his career.
The ability to play well on both offense and defense makes Berner-Hays a valuable player for the Bearcats. It also adds to his effectiveness as a leader on the team.
"Max's leadership qualities are excellent," Willamette Head Men's Soccer Coach Jared Rust said. "He leads by example and would not ask any of his teammates to do anything he hasn't already done or would do. He is a true natural in the role because his character qualities are to be on time, be professional, perform to his very best, and hold himself to the highest standard."
With Berner-Hays as one of the leaders on defense, the Bearcats have achieved a combined goals against average of 0.90 over the past three seasons. In 2019, the team attained a 0.80 GAA, the second-lowest in school history behind a 0.78 GAA in 1988. Willamette has recorded 22 shutouts since Berner-Hays arrived, with seven in 2017, six in 2018, and nine in 2019. The nine shutouts a year ago placed the team second all-time at WU behind 10 shutouts in 1988.
"It really comes down to what our team takes pride in," Berner-Hays said. "we are a team that prides itself on our defense as well as set pieces. Our defensive statistics have been really great, nearly setting a program record for goals against, and that all comes down to the whole backline."
In addition to his tremendous play on defense, Berner-Hays has provided the Bearcats with scoring power on offense, especially on set pieces. It's impressive that he has led the team in scoring in two of his three seasons. His 17 career goals are an exceptional number for a defender.
"Most of my goals come from set-pieces or the play directly following when I find myself in the opposition penalty area," Berner-Hays explained. "I have my teammates to thank for my goal-scoring success. Mack van der Velde has put up with some serious abuse creating separation between myself and my defender."
The success of Berner-Hays at both ends of the field is aided by his ability to win battles in the air for headers. By combining his skills in the air with his other soccer skills, he can have a significant impact during most games. In addition, he consistently performs all of his duties at a high level.
"Max's strengths as a player are his ability to win nearly all aerial battles because of his great height and strength, his ability to communicate clearly and quickly with his teammates, and his ability to start our attack with his strong technical ability and decision-making," Rust commented. "Max's consistency is just a further testament to His leadership within the team. He expects and demands the best from himself, and the team recognizes that, feeds from it, and naturally follows him because of it."
"As one of the captains on the team, I try to be someone who the team can rely on with consistency, and I try to lead by example," Berner-Hays said. "We had a really strong team culture when I came in as a first-year so I've tried to maintain that culture. We are a super quirky, weird, fun, inclusive group of guys."
Why is Berner-Hays so successful on headers?
"Obviously, I have to attribute some of it to my height, but only about half of my goals (have been) scored with my head," Berner-Hays said. "On all of the teams that I have been on, I have always been the guy that the team relies on in the air, both offensively and defensively. Because of this, I have a lot of practice going against guys, or even multiple guys, who are similar in height. Being able to read the ball is super important so that I can head the ball at the highest point."
His contributions to the men's soccer team began when he made the decision to attend Willamette. As he was visiting campuses, Berner-Hays was impressed with the team and coaching staff. At Willamette, Berner-Hays is majoring in Psychology. He is also working on a minor in Mathematics.
"I was looking at a couple of other similar schools, mainly UPS and Whitman," Berner-Hays recalled. "I chose Willamette because when I came on my visit the team culture was really impressive and after talking with the head coach, I knew this was the place for me. I definitely like the team culture and that we are a family both on and off the field. The friendships that I have made on this team are friendships that will last a lifetime, and these are the guys that I see being at my wedding one day."
Soccer and classwork take up a lot of his time, but Berner-Hays also has a hobby.
"I'm really into woodworking," Berner-Hays said. "I've made a lot of cutting boards and boxes and that kind of thing. I actually have an Instagram of my work @willborn_woodcrafts."
Since arriving at Willamette, Berner-Hays has been a key contributor to the men's soccer team ... even when he is unable to play in a game.
"One moment that comes to mind is last year when we were on the road to the Whits (Whitman and Whitworth) and Max ended up getting a double-yellow on Saturday against Whitworth that was quite questionable after reviewing it," Rust said. "We took multiple injuries in the match, lost in an intense double-overtime, and had to drive that evening over to Walla Walla to face a hot Whitman team (on an 8-game winning streak) the following day. We knew that we were in a tough spot with multiple starters injured, Max out on suspension (for the two yellow cards), and an opponent that was feeling unstoppable. Most coaches expect to have a captain that is in the dumps and kind of checked out for the weekend because they were removed from the equation. Instead, Max was on the sideline communicating the entire match to the center back who was taking his place and to the entire backline, just as he would if he were playing. His mindset shifted and he controlled what he could control and focused on the ways he could still help. We ended up winning the match 1-0 and it was a massive achievement for our squad. I was really proud of Max that day and thought he handled that situation with exceptional leadership and maturity!
"The other memory that specifically comes to mind with Max is Torchy's Tacos," Rust continued. "Max has been on the squad that has gone down to play at Trinity University two times in his career, and he found this taco restaurant that he would always ask to go to with the team. Max was about making sure that we got two quality results while we were on our trip and attending Torchy's Tacos. We have gone on both trips with the team and it is in fact excellent. I will always think of Max anytime I am ever headed to Texas, and I'll make a point to go to Torchy's because of all the good times we had there with those teams."