William Hesmer

Born in Wilson, North Carolina, Hesmer played soccer at Hunt High School as "an all-state center midfielder" until his senior year, where he played as a goalkeeper. He played club soccer strictly as a goalkeeper, and won a U12 state title in 1992 as well as a Region III title in 2000. He then played college soccer at Wake Forest University from 2000 to 2003. Coming in as a freshman, Hesmer overcame an early-season injury to start Wake’s final three regular-season games and made an impact in the ACC Tournament, stopping three penalties in a shootout win over Clemson and earning All-Tournament honors. The following year, he helped Wake Forest record seven shutouts and reach the ACC Semifinals. In the quarterfinal against Duke, he saved two penalty kicks to help Wake Forest advance. As a junior and senior, Hesmer served as team captain and earned All-American recognition. His junior season saw him post nine shutouts and receive first-team All-ACC honors. A late-season collision brought Hesmer’s senior campaign to an early end, as a thigh injury that required surgery kept him out of the ACC and NCAA Tournaments.

His post-career plans involved working in wealth management for Raymond James in Raleigh, North Carolina.