There are few sports where being kicked in the face is a possibility, but Julian Valentin can tell you that these things happen.

The 20-year-old Lancaster native and team co-captain not only took a deep cut requiring 25 stitches en route to Wake Forest's first NCAA soccer championship but is optimistically awaiting the Major League Soccer draft Jan. 18.

Oh, and he just recently wrapped up his English degree in three and a half years as well.

In the game that he would later say was the highlight of his college career, Valentin went to head a ball about half a foot above his head with nine minutes left and Wake Forest clinging to a 2-1 advantage over Ohio State. His face, he said, met what was essentially an accidental karate kick and shot blood immediately.

"I didn't draw up my national championship going that way, but that's the way it worked out," he said.

He consulted with a plastic surgeon after arriving back in Lancaster and had half of his stitches removed. Fortunately Valentin does not expect to need any facial reconstructive work done.

Tough play is not unusual to Valentin, who rarely gets the immediate recognition of scoring goals as a defender — he will leave Wake Forest with career totals of 12 goals and five assists. But he does take on his demanding role proudly.

"You know going into it that you're not getting the glory, you're doing the dirty work," he said.

As for the OSU player who inadvertently sidelined Valentin, he called the next day to personally apologize.

"It was a really classy act from his part," Valentin said.

Having hired an agent, Valentin will be attending the draft despite little indication as to when he will be selected. He is not, however, worried about our country's relative indifference with Major League Soccer.

"If you look at the statistics, it's getting better every year; last year was the best for attendance and support. Soccer in America is growing so rapidly, and I want to be a part of that," he said.

Though he had initially considered other Atlantic Coast Conference schools such as North Carolina and Clemson in addition to Penn State, Valentin looks back on Wake Forest fondly. He said that it "was just one of those decisions that you know is right."

Valentin was first noticed by major colleges after being selected to take part in the Olympic Development Program and playing against the state's best in Philadelphia. A coach from Wake Forest had visited Valentin's home on the first day such face-to-face meetings were allowed.

"They came and just really sold me on the family atmosphere of Wake Forrest; sold the program as up and coming, and wanting to build a legacy was something that I really wanted to do," he said, adding that he felt they did accomplish this with two Final Fours and a National Championship.

It should be noted that the title game's final 15 minutes, including Valentin's injury, is viewable on Youtube.com.

After a 26-game college season and quick Christmas break at home, Valentin will be back in Florida undergoing fitness training for January's pre-draft combine.

"It's been a great ride and I'm looking forward to the future," he said.