Auburn Riverside senior co-captain Cameron Howard had no idea what to expect when coach Robyn Saarenas pulled him aside shortly before the start of the soccer season to tell him the team was adding a South Korean transfer student to the roster.

“I wasn’t expecting too much,” Howard admitted.

It didn’t take long for Howard’s expectations to shatter, however. In fact, it took until the first time Hansol Park took to the pitch in a Raven jersey.

“When I saw Hansol play, I realized, ‘Wow this guy can play,’” Howard said. “It was pretty amazing the first time. It wasn’t what I expected.”

Park has been a pleasant surprise for the Ravens this spring, both on and off the field. So far, the senior forward’s six goals have helped the Ravens to a 5-1-2 overall record, good for third in the South Puget Sound League North 4A race.

The Ravens will travel to Federal Way for a league match at 7:30 tonight.

Park’s play has been so crucial to the team that Auburn Riverside’s only loss came against Tahoma, when Park was serving a one-game suspension for a red card he received against Auburn.

Park, an 18-year-old native of Seoul, South Korea, began playing soccer competitively at age 11.

After five years playing in his homeland, Park got his first chance to play in another country when his father, a banker, moved the family to Japan. After two years there, Park’s family moved to Auburn, where he got his first taste of soccer in the USA.

“American soccer is very strong,” Park said. “They are very tall. In Japan, soccer is technical. They like short passes. I like both.”

According to Howard, who has become close friends with Park, communication was difficult at first.

“Sometimes we have to repeat stuff, just say it again,” he said.

“Sometimes we have to use hand gestures to communicate on the field,” Saarenas added.

In a pinch, Saarenas said she uses her Japanese to get the message across. Saarenas picked up some of the language while living in that country.

But Park’s English has come a long way, thanks to his studies at Auburn Riverside.

“My favorite subject is English,” Park said.

Just don’t ask him about math.

“Ohhh, math,” he said, shaking his head and putting it in his hands.

On the field, Park is an offensive force to be reckoned with.

“He’s really strong on the ball,” Howard said. “When he gets to the ball, he can hold off players. He can score from anywhere. His finishing ability is amazing.”

According to Saarenas, Park’s abilities already have him drawing attention from coaches at Tacoma and Pierce community colleges.

“Let’s just say there are a couple of college coaches who saw his game and talked to me,” Saarenas said. “He will probably have his pick of which community college he wants to go to.”

“I want to go to college in America,” Park said.

Despite his obvious talents on the pitch, it’s his team-first attitude and positive outlook that have won over the rest of the team.

“I’ll tell you what, there is nothing better than when someone scores a goal,” Saarenas said. “The celebration transcends everything else. He has so much enthusiasm for his team.”

“The team is just special this year,” she continued. “We have someone like Cameron leading. He’s just so positive, and he sets that tone on the field. And then you add in Hansol, who is just an amazing goal scorer. He changes our game.

“We’ve got the best of both worlds here, a guy that will organize the team and create a solid defense,” Saarenas continued. “The partnership has been a treat for me to work with. I think all the guys on the team are having a good time this year, and they’re working hard.

Howard added: “It’s been real fun. We’ve never really experienced another culture, so he’s shared stuff with us and we share with him on a daily basis.”

Park, who spends his free time attending a local Korean Christian church and playing video games with his teammates, is enjoying the experience.

“I like America,” Park said. “I like people and school and soccer. … I think my friends are very good, very kind people.”