Danny Hernandez is no easy mark. The Salem High School graduate and current junior at Southern New Hampshire University has fooled defenders with his style while becoming one of the most dangerous players on the field for one of the best Division II men’s soccer teams in the nation.

“He’s so casual and nonchalant, but he executes plays and finishes so well,” said Tony Karibian, Hernandez’s coach for four years with the Blue Devils. “A lot of the time he seems like he’s not working hard, but then he turns it on and beats you.”

Hernandez played in each of SNHU’s contests this year, scoring five goals and dishing out seven assists for a team that reached the national quarterfinal round of the NCAA Division II tournament thanks to backto- back postseason victories.

Throughout this season Hernandez has been a goto striker for the Penmen, playing a larger role in the team’s offense than he has in years past. He was second on the squad in goals, first in assists and second in points.

“He’s done a great job causing havoc and keeping the ball in the offensive zone,” said SNHU head coach Marc Hubbard. “He’s gotten a little more tactical and smarter in how he makes his runs. He’s one year older and has a little more responsibility.”

Indeed, Hernandez has focused on improving his leadership skills. Soft-spoken on and off the field, he has decided to lead through his play, not necessarily with his mouth.

“Being a captain at Salem helped me learn what it takes to be a leader,” said Hernandez, who also said it took him time to adjust to the level of play in college. “It’s a completely different game. They’re expecting a lot more from you. The only way you can get used to it is through getting more game experience.”

Practice time has paid big dividends for Hernandez. Nearly every time he steps on the pitch between games, he is matched up against the Northeast-10 Conference’s Defensive Player of the Year, teammate Richard Kentish.

In the East Region final against top-seeded LeMoyne College on Nov. 22, Hernandez assisted on the Penmen’s equalizing goal with less than 10 minutes remaining in regulation. SNHU ultimately fell one game shy of the D-II national semifinals in a penalty kick shootout, 3-2.

Though Hernandez is a critical offensive player for the Penmen, he has also improved dramatically on his defensive skills, according to his coach.

“He’s a very vertical player and he wants to run at the backs and shoot whenever he gets the opportunity,” said Hubbard. “Our forwards are the first defenders, and they set the tone with their work ethic. So that’s something Danny has gotten better at compared to previous years.”

Karibian said he has been able to watch his former standout play several times, and he still sees him as the same player on the field. It’s Hernandez’s mental makeup that has come a long way since he first stepped on the field at Salem High School.

“During his time with us he scored goals, he made attacks happen. That form has followed him to SNHU,” said Karibian. “As he developed he got more and more confident each year. He’s more successful at the college level than he was in high school, and that (confidence) is a main contributor.”