establishing himself as a prominent player at the US college level.

A freshman at South Carolina's Furman University, the Bermuda youth team player has fired his name into the record books in only his first semester.

Nusum received high praise in a recent match in which he spearheaded his 16th-ranked team to a 6-0 triumph over Appalachian State.

The 17-year-old slammed four goals and added an assist, giving him a total of nine points for the match which tied the school record set in 1984.

Not surprisingly, Nusum, who plays for First Division Wolves when on the Island, was voted most valuable player.

It was his first hat-trick for the school team, known as the Paladins.

Bermuda Football Association's Technical Director, Clyde Best, who has coached Nusum at national level, wasn't surprised to learn of the youngster's latest accomplishment.

"John Barry is a very good player who always represented the national youth team well and I knew that he would continue to make strides at the college level without any difficulty,'' said Best.

A versatile player, as comfortable at striker as he is in central defence, Nusum considered an offer last year from United States' assistant World Cup coach Clive Charles for a four-year partial scholarship with the University of Portland on the west coast.

Charles is a former team-mate of Best's at West Ham United.

But Nusum and his family turned down that offer and others from far bigger and more renowned colleges in favour of a full scholarship from Furman on the east coast.

While pleased to learn about her son's progress on the soccer pitch, Nusum's mother Ellvera Robinson reiterated the importance of keeping him focused on his studies.

She noted that John Barry was particularly motivated during the game when he learned that another Bermudian, soccer player and cricketer Clay Smith, was urging him on from the stands.

"Because of its size the school can provide a one on one relationship to ensure that the students achieve academically as well as in sports,'' said his mother.

"It is very difficult for John Barry to juggle all of these goals and he is finding it quite a bit to handle. But he's learning to pace himself and learning to manage his time.''