Walk into a Dordt men's soccer practice and you'll hear Spanish, German, Portuguese — and somewhere in the middle of it all is senior captain Jacob Narkis, a Watertown, Wisconsin native who now finds himself leading what might be the most culturally diverse roster in Defender athletics.

Full Episode | Jacob Narkis 

Germans. Spaniards. Brazilians. Portuguese players. Midwest natives. First-generation internationals. Small-town kids. Big-city kids.

"You don't expect this in Iowa," he laughs. "But it works — and it's special. Guys from all over the world, all different backgrounds, and somehow it feels like one big family."

Narkis's season effectively ended his senior year and he ended the year watching from the sideline instead of wearing the captain's armband on the field.

The timing of the injury couldn't have been worse. Middle of the GPAC season. Playoff push. Senior year. And the one player who has been a striker, winger, attacking mid, and now captain lodged on the sideline.

"It's been tough," Narkis admits. "You don't want to miss any game your senior year, especially when we're right on the edge of the playoffs. But I still have a role, even if I'm not on the field."

His leadership now looks different. Encouraging from the bench. Talking through game film with teammates. Staying vocal, even when he'd rather just play.

"I've always been a role player," he says. "Wherever coach wanted me — I just did it. That hasn't changed. The role is just different now."

Dordt men's soccer is unique. When Narkis arrived as a freshman, having internationals on the roster was still relatively new. Today, it's normal.

"Every year, more cultures come in," he says. "And it's not just soccer skills — it's life experience. You learn how someone grew up in Brazil, how someone else came from Spain, how someone else is adjusting to the Midwest for the first time."

The funniest culture shock?

"Honestly? Walmart," he says. "Some guys get here and we're like, 'First stop — we're grabbing groceries and snacks.' They're like, 'What is this place?'"

But what stands out more than the differences are the bonds.

"Guys get invited into families, into homes. People really take care of us here. That matters."

Dordt's season was a string of one-goal games: ties, near-wins, heartbreak losses.

"This is the most talented team I've been part of," Narkis says without hesitation. "We create chances. We just need that extra finish. That one ball to fall."

Tied in the final standings for the final spot in the post season the Defenders didn't get a tie or win in the final two games that would have put them in the field.

No one feels that urgency more than a senior who knows the clock is ticking — on the season and on his own college career.

When he's not playing soccer, Narkis is studying actuarial science and finance — two majors built on the same thing he loves about soccer: decisions, patterns, strategy.

"Actuarial science is the math and stats side. Finance is more people and markets. Together, it's a perfect mix."

After graduation, he wants a big city — Chicago, Dallas, maybe Atlanta — anywhere with a major insurance or financial hub.

"I love Iowa, but actuarial jobs need big companies," he says. "I'm ready to go learn, grow, and see where God leads."

Will Soccer Still Be There?

The answer is instant.

"Oh, I'm not done," he says. "I've played since kindergarten. Sixteen, seventeen years. I can't just stop. Maybe semi-pro. Maybe just a competitive league. But I'll keep playing."

The only thing that may need to heal first? His body.

" I'm 22 but I feel 32," he laughs. "But I'm not done."

"Live in the moment," he says quietly. "Enjoy every practice. Every game. Even the cold ones. Even the losses. Because it goes so fast. I'd play four more years if I could. This team…these four years…they've been a blessing. I'll never forget it."

He may not have finished the season on the field but  Jacob Narkis is still the captain. Still the glue. Still the heartbeat of one of Dordt's most unique teams.