The Waynesburg University Yellow Jackets (5-10-1, 2-4-1) men’s soccer team finished its season Oct. 27 with a 3-0 loss against the Washington & Jefferson College Presidents. The Yellow Jackets lost four of their last six games in conference play.

Reflecting on the season, head coach Brad Heethuis believes there were some positive takeaways despite the skid at the end of the season.

“Throughout the season, we had our ups and downs,” said Heethuis. “I think we were right there in a few games.”

Waynesburg played in seven games this season that were decided by one goal, winning three of them. The Yellow Jackets had to win by three goals in the final game of the season against W&J to make the Presidents’ Athletic Conference (PAC), but finished in fifth place, just outside the four-team field, after dropping the contest.

Sophomore goalkeeper Adam Dolan believes the team faired decently in PAC play, but they needed to close out some of the more impactful games down the stretch.

“PAC play started off great,” said Dolan. “We didn’t play well in the games we needed to, and we lost some tight games. We tied Geneva and lost to W&J—those two games were big.”

The Yellow Jackets are graduating four seniors this season, including forward and leading scorer Tyler Sisler, midfielder Sam Almeter, defender Matt Hlasnick and forward Kaylib Young-Argyle.

“The seniors left a mark and a legacy here,” said Heethuis. “Their freshman year they played on a team that won just one game. They sacrificed a lot for this team on and off the field.”

Heethuis described the seniors as leaders, who set a good example for the younger players. The lasting impact could help the team in upcoming years.

“We are definitely going to miss them,” said Dolan about the seniors. “They were leaders and just nice quality guys that I am going to miss. They are definitely guys I look up to.”

The Yellow Jackets are losing some key leaders and will be looking for other players to step up, according to Heethuis.

The Yellow Jackets are returning nine athletes, who will be in their senior season next fall, and seven juniors. Waynesburg will be returning its starting goalie and its leading goal scorers in Daniel Hott and Justin Buberl, who each scored five goals in 2018.

“The preparation for next season starts now,” said Heethuis. “We need to start looking at next season and start our lifting plan.”

Heethuis stressed that academics are a big part of Waynesburg soccer. The Yellow Jackets are starting their work for next season in the near future.

“I want to be holding a trophy at this time next year personally,” said Dolan. “Every off season we put in the work in the weight room and we hope to come in to next season ready to play so we can be our best.”

For now, the Jackets will focus on the classroom aspect of college while resting up too. They will return to the pitch for some training after the winter weather passes to begin preparations for the 2018-19 campaign.