Box Score By: B.J. Pheasant, Assistant Soccer Coach
(CRESTVIEW HILLS, Ky.) –Thomas More College men's soccer hosted Bethany College on Senior Day Wednesday, October 26th in their final regular season home game. The Saints beat the Bison 3-0 to move to 4-2-1 in the Presidents Athletic Conference (PAC) and 9-8-1 overall while the Bison move to 8-8-3 overall and 4-3 in the PAC.
"We did what we needed to do today and need to take care of business on Saturday," said TMC Head Coach Eric Busener. "This was an important match up in the conference standings and the seniors led the way. The senior class is a good group of players and a better group of guys. Their class was instrumental in helping change the culture of the program."
The Saints came out and dominated the game against the Bison with a 17-8 shot advantage as the ten seniors played for their place in the PAC playoffs. It was a wide open game that favored the home team on Senior Day. Thomas More finally broke through the stout Bison defense as senior Tim Knauer (Batavia, Ohio/Batavia) showed his class in the 28th minute by unlocking the Bethany defense with a through ball that Ethan Smith (Columbus, Ind./Columbus North) put away while holding off two defenders.
The celebrations were short as the Saints resumed their work. In the 40th minute a free kick on the edge of the penalty box was perfect territory for Oliver Owen (Manchester, England/Harrop Fold) to showcase his craftiness. Colin Dean (Fort Thomas, Ky./Highlands) got on the end of the free kick as it was pushed past the wall and put it in the net to double the lead for TMC.
After the half the Saints increased the pressure as they worked to seal the victory for the seniors. In the 55th minute Smith got free down the sideline and was able to turn the corner. He drew the defense and laid a ball across the goal for Suli Kayed (Union, Ky./Ryle) to calmly place into the net for the final 3-0 margin. The Saints continue to get chances and possess the ball as they closed out the game.
The Saints travel for their final regular season game at Washington & Jefferson College on Saturday, October 29th. The game is very important for seeding in the PAC Championship Tournament where play commences next week with game times and locations TBA. If you aren't able to make it out to the games live video and stats are available with links found on TMCSaints.com on the men's soccer Schedule page.
With it being the final regular season home game we present the Class of 2017 Seniors from Thomas More Men's Soccer with their bios and with a favorite soccer memory and advice for the first-years.
Major: Nursing
Hometown: Batavia, Ohio
Parent's: George & Darby
Career Plans: Become and Emergency Room nurse and then return to school to become a Nurse Practitioner.
Favorite memory: Winning the 1st NCAA game in Thomas More History
Advice to incoming class: Work hard in every area of your life. Faith, Family, Friends, School, Soccer. Each part will grow you as a person and teach you things that you will never forget.
Major: Psychology
Hometown: Frisco Texas
Parent's: Blaze & Jeff
Career Plans: Continue my education to earn a Master's degree in Psychology and become a sports psychologist or relationship counselor.
Favorite memory: Watching the selection show last year and seeing us get chosen as an at large bid.
Advice to incoming class: work as hard a you can an don't hold back. 4 years may seem long, but when it's over it seems like you first started yesterday.
Major: Biology
Hometown: Union, Ky.
Parent's: Ken & Susan
Career Plans: Do something special.
Favorite memory: Growing up & Making new Friends
Advice to incoming class: Follow your gut
Major: Business Administration
Hometown: Lawrenceburg, Ind.
Parent's: Matthew & Georgia
Career Plans: Continue on to grad school for a Master's degree in Education.
Favorite memory: My first time I stepped on the field to play for Thomas More.
Advice to incoming class: Don't take life too seriously.
Major: Sports & Entertainment Marketing
Hometown: Parkersburg, W.Va.
Parent's: Brian & Amanda
Sibling(s): Matthew
Career Plans: Pursue coaching soccer at the youth and college levels.
Favorite memory: My favorite memory from my Thomas More soccer career would be beating Geneva in PK's in the PAC tournament.
Advice to incoming class: My most important piece of advice for the incoming players is to always play every game like it's your last. Every year involves some type of adversity but the players and teams who get stronger through adversity rise to the top.
Major: Sports & Entertainment Marketing
Hometown: Cincinnati, Ohio
Parent's: Bob & Marybeth
Career Plans: Get a job and be successful.
Favorite memory: Costa Rica trip
Advice to incoming class: play every game and practice like it's your last, the time goes by quick and you never know when it's going to end
Major: Criminal Justice and Psychology
Hometown: Cincinnati, Ohio
Parent's: Karen & Dan
Career Plans: Plan to become a police officer and eventually a federal agent.
Favorite memory: Costa Rica trip
Advice to incoming class: Work hard and dont be casual.
Major: Business Administration with concentration in Management
Hometown: Union, Ky.
Parent's: Marc & Gina
Career Plans: Pursue job opportunities out west.
Favorite memory: White water rafting with the team in Costa Rica.
Advice to incoming class: Take advantage of being with the team and get to know as many people as you can. These are going to be your best buds for the next 4 years.
Major: Elementary Education
Hometown: Lexington, Ky.
Parent's: Aydan & Tom
Sibling(s): Tyler, Lauren
Career Plans: Begin teaching and then returning to school for a Master's degree in Education
Favorite memory: Winning the PAC tournament sophomore year after playing 85 minutes with 10 men.
Advice to incoming class: Do not talk to the refs and don't play casual.
