Imagine you play on a Division I soccer team. Imagine that that
team is currently ranked fourth in the country.

Imagine that you are the captain of that team. Junior midfielder
Ryan Wileman does not have to imagine; for him, it is a
reality.

Ryan Wileman has wanted to be a soccer player for as long as he
can remember. When Ryan was four years old, his older brother,
Chase, introduced him to the game of soccer.

“My older brother, Chase, sparked my interest in soccer,” he
said.

Wileman, who hails from Dallas, continually developed his skills
and went on to become a star soccer player. In his last game at
Grand Prairie High School, Ryan scored six goals and had three
assists in a 10-1 victory.

After looking at a variety of schools, including Southern
Methodist University, Northwestern and Brown, Ryan finally elected
to become a Billiken because of SLU’s academic reputation and
aesthetically pleasing field and practice facilities. Over the past
two years, Wileman has evolved as a soccer player and as anyone.
Ryan endured a frustrating freshman season where he played in just
nine games.

“Like most freshmen, I didn’t play as much as I expected. When
you get to college soccer, everyone is so good,” Wileman said.

Last season, however, Wileman saw more action and set career
highs in goals, assists and points. Wileman’s fondest memory from
last season was scoring a game-tying goal against Indiana that the
Billikens would eventually lose 2-1.

“The atmosphere was just amazing,” Wileman said.

Wileman’s patience and hard work was rewarded when he was named
team captain this year by coach Dan Donigan. “It was a dream come
true when they announced it,” Wileman said. He believes that his
greatest contribution to the team is his leadership.

“Leaders are born, but leadership can be learned as well. A
leader is not necessarily the best player on the team, but it’s
someone that gets the team ready to play,” Wileman said.

While it is debatable who the Billikens’ best player is, the
respect that Ryan’s teammates have for him is not.

“Ryan is a good teammate because he always looks out for
everyone else and puts the team first,” sophomore midfielder John
DiRaimondo said.

“[Wileman] contributed by bringing a level of experience and
maturity. His greatest attribute would have to be his leadership;
he leads the team and keeps us all focused,” DiRaimondo added.

“Ryan is a good captain and a natural leader,” sophomore forward
Will John said. “[He] leads by example. He’s physically tough on
the field, he’s got great vision and can play a very accurate long
ball as well as finish when he needs to,” John added.

Wileman has set very high goals for the men’s soccer team this
season–so high that they would seem outlandish to most teams. With
Wileman leading the way, however, these goals seem attainable.

“First and foremost, we want to win a national championship.
We’re getting closer and closer every year. We want to be number
one in our conference and win the national championship–that is
our ultimate goal,” he said.

Wileman attributes his success as a soccer player to his family
and coaches.

“My parents and my older brother have always been there for me,
and all of my coaches have been ultimate supporters as well,”
Wileman said.

After Wileman graduates from SLU, he would like to pursue a
professional soccer career.

“I would love to play overseas and would love to play in Dallas
where my family would be,” he said. “I would also like to coach a
high school or college club team,” Ryan added.

Right now, however, Wileman is not concerned with playing
professional soccer or coaching. He has his sights set on leading
SLU to its first national championship since 1973. Wileman is
already making strides not just in the leadership department; but
is also see significant offensive production.

He put in the first of eight goals against UMSL. Compliment that
with two assists and he looks to play a large role in the Bills’
offensive machine.

“Every game is going to be different,” Wileman said. “It’s
amazing for me. To come from a small town and to play soccer at
such a prestigious school — it truly is an honor.”