Francis Marion University Athletics

FMU: Returning letterman....Appeared in five matches during the covid-shortened and delayed 2020 season....Transfer from Anoka-Ramsey Community College, where he played the 2019 season....Also played one season at NAIA member Dordt University....A goal scorer....Hard worker....Has a really good presence up front.....FMU Swamp Fox Athletic-Academic Honor Roll 2020 (fall), 2021 (spring), 2022 (spring).

ARCC: Tallied 13 goals and 4 assists on 66 shots....Conference and Regional Player of the Year....Ranked 20th nationally (NJCAA III) for goals scored....3 match-winning scores....3-time MCAC Player of the Week....Won the regional title.

DU: Registered 2 goals on 24 shots in 12 matches (4 starts)....10 of 24 shots were on target.

PERSONAL:

• Born Nils Glenn Gulbranson in St. Paul, MN
• A graduate of Chisago Lakes High School, where he played for coaches Mark Lee, Matt Thielen, and Matt Koehn
• Scored a school-record 39 goals as a senior (led the state) to go along with 9 assists
• Mr. Soccer (Minnesota) Finalist as a senior
• Career prep totals of 89 goals and 28 assists in four seasons
• 2-time All-State selection (first team as a senior, second team as a junior)
• Claimed All-Metro first-team honors along with Conference Player of the Year accolades as a senior
• 2017 Star Tribune first-team selection
• Also played with the Minneapolis City Soccer Club
• Nickname is Nigel

PERSONAL FAVORITES:

• How you got your nickname: One day my brother Per just started calling me it
• As a child what you wanted to be when you grew up:  Professional soccer player
• Favorite Superhero: Rocket Raccoon
• Favorite Athlete:  Zlatan Ibrahimovic
• Favorite Sports Team:  Real Madrid
• Favorite Movie or TV Show:   The Last Kingdom (TV) Source Code (Movie)
• Favorite Food:  Anything Chinese
• Favorite Vacation Spot:  The beach or mountains
• Instagram Account: nils.gulbranson
• Your Motivation Music: Worship
• Favorite Thing About FMU:  The friends I’ve made off campus
• Favorite Off-Field Activity:  Working on business things
• Goals for Upcoming Season:  Play free and with confidence
• Why you first chose your sport: Not sure, I was told that I couldn’t separate my self from any ball growing up. Basketball, or soccer.
• The biggest mental challenge to you improving faster in your sport: Uncertainty
• Interesting Notes:  Mr. Soccer Runner-Up in Minnesota, broke school records for goals with 86, and 39 in a single season with 9 assists. I’ve been to 38 states, I love working out, I am an entrepreneur at heart, and my aspiration is to acquire many rental properties.
• Brush With Greatness:  Got to play against Minnesota United with my NPSL team (lost 4-1), but got to play and stand right next to/be marked by some defenders that are currently on their first team