It’s not surprising, then, that the sophomore is making waves as a midfielder for the Saint Louis University Billikens.
Originally from Overland Park, Kas., Sweetin was named Atlantic 10 Rookie of the Year after starting all 22 matches for the Billikens, leading the team with six assists, and scoring 12 goals. Sweetin, who was heavily recruited by Indiana and Creighton, had no difficulties choosing SLU over the other Midwestern schools.
“My brother went here; I have tons of family here,” he said. “I knew a lot of the guys on the team, so I knew they were good guys. SLU has the most tradition out of any school in the country for soccer. I just wanted to come in and win another national championship because it’s been a while.”
Sweetin’s confidence is what drives him on the field. After showing his talent and potential last season, the sophomore was tabbed as an A-10 Pre-Season All-Conference team selection by the coaches of the conference.
But he stays unsatisfied. Among his goals for this year are to “start every game and continue building on last year.”
“I didn’t have a ton of goals or assists last year, but I’m hoping I can just help the team out anyway I can, even if I’m not scoring goals. Hopefully I’m putting guys in the right position to score goals.”
Named team captain by head coach Mike McGinty for the first two exhibition games, Sweetin has embraced a leadership role on a team with 11 sophomores and nine freshmen. He has quietly, and confidently, stepped in as a leader among the sophomores and hopes to be able to push his other teammates on the field.
“Last year I was establishing myself to be a leader in my class, and this year I came in with a new attitude, I wanted to lead the team,” Sweetin said. “I know I’m just a sophomore … but I have a ton of respect for [my older teammates], because they were the ones who got me to this position.”
Sweetin will be asked to fill a void left by Tim Ream, who regularly captained the team and provided stability.
And he’s handling the position well. After two exhibition games, Sweetin is the only Billiken with a goal. He scored the lone goal in a match on Aug. 20 against Evansville. The match was a draw, with a score of 1-1.
His new coach, McGinty shares Sweetin’s ultimate goal: SLU’s eleventh national championship. Sweetin will have the unique opportunity to help the team transition into the head coach’s style.
“He’s raising this program to another level,” Sweetin said. “He wants to win another national championship so bad for this school. You can tell he just has so much pride in his work. I think everyone is really embracing the change [from former coach Dan Donigan].”
If SLU is going to reach that level, they will need a tremendous contribution from Sweetin on the field. The Billikens were selected to win the A-10 title this year, but are expected to advance beyond last year’s second round exit from the NCAA tournament, something they have not done since moving to the A-10 in 2004.
“We know that we can only do better than last year,” Sweetin said. “We’re not going be satisfied by just winning another A-10 championship. McGinty, he’s got a ton of experience; we know that we have to be better than last year in every aspect.
“We’re gonna have to take our game to a whole new level.”
