“Grown in America: Play Fueled by Peanuts” is a nationwide campaign that shines a spotlight on the rising stars of soccer – young athletes from across the country who are putting in the work, powering their performance, and doing it all with fuel that’s as American as the game is global: peanuts.
As part of The18’s campus tour with the National Peanut Board, we’re connecting with college players to hear their stories, get their takes on the sport, and find out how they stay game-day ready.
While every athlete’s journey is unique, one thing unites them all: how they fuel matters. With 7 grams of plant-based protein per ounce and key nutrients like niacin and magnesium to support energy production and muscle recovery, peanuts are more than just a snack – they’re part of the performance plan.
We sat down with UMass Men’s goalkeeper Alex Geczy to learn more about how he trains, what drives him, and what fuels him, on and off the pitch.
Goalkeeper is an often overlooked position on the soccer pitch that requires a tremendous amount of growth and courage. UMass senior Alex Geczy is preparing for his fifth season between the sticks for the Minutemen and will be the main man in goal for a second-straight season.
Geczy’s passion for the sport wasn’t straightforward as he shared that he actually quit the sport when he first started playing as a kid.
“My mom used to play in high school, so she kind of pushed me toward it,” Geczy said. “But the first time I played, I actually quit on the field, quit on the spot. Then I started playing at recess and stuff, and I just told her I wanted to try out again. And then from there, eight, nine years old, it never stopped.”
While the goalkeepers might not be covering the swaths of field like a midfielder or forward, fueling their body with the right nutrients is key for recovery.
Geczy says keeping a regimented and consistent meal on gamedays is his secret weapon. His other go-to food source: peanuts.
“I won't always have time to get a full meal in, right before practice or something, so just putting peanut butter on a bagel or something like that, you kind of get every protein, all the nutrients you really need to fuel yourself for an event,” Geczy said.
Peanuts have more protein than any nut (7g per serving), containing more than 30 essential vitamins and minerals, and are a good source of fiber and good fats.
Geczy will enter his fifth season with the Minutemen after helping lead the team to the college soccer quarterfinals in the previous year. He played nearly every minute of the season with a litany of highlights like when he recorded seven saves in a draw against the eventual champions Vermont.
It takes a special set of characteristics to be a goalkeeper. Facing a constant barrage of shots and sacrificing your body isn’t for the faint of heart.
“Some goalkeepers are crazier than others,” Geczy said. “I like to think I'm on the less crazy side of the spectrum, but yeah, you definitely have to be a little crazy to just stay in goal while guys are shooting on you.”
Geczy is certainly a member of the goalkeeper’s guild but will also be part of the The Health Nut Club for his fifth year at UMass.
