Junior Cordova forward Shahzad Hazem. Photo by Rick Sloan

RANCHO CORDOVA, CA (MPG) - Cordova Lancers junior striker Shazad Hazem isn’t much of a talker on the soccer field. He allows his game to speak for itself. 

Through his first 14 games this season, Hazem has racked up an impressive 11 goals scored to pace the Lancers’ offensive attack. That also ranks atop the entire Metro League and is good for third place in all of Sac Joaquin Section Division II. Despite his quiet demeanor, he has emerged as one of the leaders on the team through his strong play according to Lancers’ head coach Luis Aguilar. 

“He’s more of a leader by his ability to change games,” Aguilar said. “Leading by example. He’s a workhorse.”

Junior forward Shahzad Hazem takes the ball down the field during a match against Grant. Photo by Rick Sloan

Being from the Middle East, the game of soccer has been an outlet for the youngster according to Aguilar. Hazem and his family moved to the United States in recent years, and a language barrier had been a part of Hazem’s story when he began attending Cordova High School as a freshman. When he gets on the pitch, however, the game of soccer has provided the talented striker a place where he can let his abilities speak loudly. 

“For him, soccer is an outlet,” Aguilar said. “Coming here, transitioning to a new culture and a new country, it’s been an outlet for him and a lot of people. In soccer we consider the game its own language. There’s no specific language other than soccer out there on the field. It’s something everyone can enjoy and all you need is a ball.”

According to Aguilar, Hazem has hopes of playing professionally after he graduates at Cordova in 2027. With a few games left in his junior season before his senior year next winter, the sky is the limit for the standout.