Roanoke College

Nelson Vasquez Zelaya was strong defender and feared by many opponents during his time at Roanoke College.  A four-year All-ODAC selection Vasquez was also named All-South Atlantic/South Region during his final three seasons.  He was the captain of the 1993 team that advanced to the NCAA Division III national quarterfinals, which to this day is the furthest a Roanoke Men’s Soccer team has advanced in the postseason.  Arguably the most respected defender in the program’s history, Vasquez finished his career with 10 goals, 11 assists for 31 points in 72 games.

Vasquez emerged as one the ODAC’s top defenders as a freshman, earning second-team all-conference and all-region honors.  Known for his tremendous ability in the air, as a junior, the Arlington, Virginia native led the Maroons into the top-25 poll for the first time in eight years as they finished 12-4. He scored three goals and added three assists on the year, as he earned all-region and All-ODAC honors for the third-straight season.  As a senior, Vasquez helped Roanoke to an ODAC Championship and its first NCAA Tournament appearance.  The Maroons advanced to the national quarterfinals and finished 20-4, which is the best record and most wins in the College’s history.  The Maroons were ranked as high as 12th that year, winning only their third ODAC Title and claiming the South Region.  They fell to the eventual champion, UC-San Diego, 2-1 in four overtimes.  Vasquez’s defensive presence helped set a new school-record for shutouts in a season (14).  Outside a loss to NCAA DI Duke University, the Maroon defense held their opponents to just 13 points in 23 games.

Vasquez currently resides in Centreville, Virginia.