Alex Johnston and Alex Sweetin, men’s soccer players for Saint Louis University, have a handle on what it means to be upperclassmen at this point in their SLU careers.
With a team that boasts five freshman starters, Johnston, a senior, and Sweetin, a junior, understand the importance of stepping up as leaders.
The midfielders take different approaches to their inherent roles as commanders on the field.
“I’m not the most vocal person,” Johnston admitted. “Instead of following other seniors [like in the past], I’m the one who has to make sure I’m doing things right for others to follow.”
Sweetin takes a more hands on approach with the youngsters on the team.
“It’s our job, having been with Coach McGinty and his system, to point the young guys in the right direction,” he said.
Johnston could not have led by example any better than he did against No. 10 Notre Dame this past Sunday at the Indiana University Credit Union Classic. The midfielder buried a golden goal in the second overtime to seal a 2-1 victory. His clutch performance led him to be tabbed co-Atlantic 10 Conference Player of the Week.
As a senior, Johnston understands the importance of building and getting better as the season progresses. Although the game winner was confirmed as his “career highlight,” Johnston understands that this a mere step in the right direction.
“For the team as a whole, it’s a big first step because of the toughness of the opponent and also because it was our first win,” Johnston said.
“We’d love to build on the Notre Dame win,” Sweetin added. “We want to prove to others and to ourselves that we can play with teams ranked in the top 10. Hopefully we’ll keep the ball rolling and grab a win or draw against Akron.”
Johnston likes to keep the season in perspective. He understands how the early battles against top-tier non-conference
competition will only help in the long run. When the conference schedule picks up, they’ll be ready.
“Having been through [two top-ranked teams], we’re going to know how to play good soccer by then. In the A-10, we’ll be able to kick it up, and I don’t think those teams will compare.”
Right now, no player knows what it means to look at the big picture more than Sweetin. He has had to watch the first three games in a walking cast with a partially torn Achilles tendon. He is itching to get back out there to help the team.
“Right now, my main focus is to get healthy and get my fitness in to help immediately when I get back,” Sweetin said. “I just want to get back and help in any way – whether it’s 20 minutes in the game or preparing at practice.”
His sights, like Johnston’s, seem set on the A-10 and beyond.
“We’d love to roll in the A-10 and be able to win the regular season or conference tournament or both. Further on, a home game in the NCAA tournament would be a good point to build to, and to get there, it’s on us.”
“For now, we’ll just be focusing on Akron, though,” Sweetin added.
Sweetin spoke of how everyone sees their teammates as equals, making upperclassmen perks few and far between.
“Not having to move goals during practice or pick up after everyone in the locker room is nice,” Sweetin said with a laugh.
It is probably better off he stay away from the goals and continue to nurse his injury to full health. The team will need him and Johnston on the field if the Bills hope to reach their high expectations.
