Since Brad and Laura Heethuis took over the Waynesburg University men’s and women’s soccer teams in 2014, both programs have gone in similar directions.

Both head coaches had success in their first year at Waynesburg, with the men’s team qualifying for the Presidents’ Athletic Conference tournament and the women earning a berth in the ECAC South tournament. In the three years since, however, neither team has managed a winning season.

The 2017 season saw both soccer teams get off to promising starts. The women were 4-1-1 in their first six games and the men won their first two PAC matches. Both teams faltered as the season progressed, with the women winning just three of their final 11 games, while the men, riddled by injuries and suspensions, went 1-5 in their last six PAC contests. The women finished the year at 7-9-1 overall and 3-6 in conference play, placing seventh in the PAC, while the men went 5-9-2 overall and 3-5 in the PAC, being eliminated from the conference playoffs in their last game, with a 3-1 loss to Washington & Jefferson Saturday, Oct. 28.

Although both teams struggled in the second half of the season, they showed that there is hope for the future of Waynesburg soccer.

Returning talent

Perhaps the most significant advantage next season that gives the Jackets hope for the future is that both soccer teams will bring back several key contributors.

Aside from senior defender Bryan Sontag and freshman forward Thomas Drake, who played this season as an exchange student, Waynesburg’s men’s team isn’t losing anybody from this year’s squad.

Leading the group of returners is junior forward Tyler Sisler, who tied for the PAC lead with six assists in 2017. The junior college transfer turned into Waynesburg’s biggest offensive threat as the season went on, and looks to be one of the senior leaders next season.

Another prominent player who will be a senior next fall is goalkeeper James Snyder. Snyder’s status for the rest of his college career, however, is uncertain. Not only did he miss the last six games of this season with a torn ACL, the injury could affect his final collegiate campaign as well. If Snyder has to miss time, Adam Dolan and Daniel Brode will likely have to step up. Both keepers gained valuable experience as freshman, starting several important conference games, so they will come into their sophomore years more battle tested than expected.

For the men, the current sophomore class is the group that has possibly the most collective talent. Four sophomores started ten or more games for the Jackets this past season, which included midfielders Justin Buberl and Nate Kummer, who tied for the team lead with four goals this year.

Like the future juniors and seniors, this year’s freshman class also shows promise. Forwards Cam Sutherland and Daniel Hott, as well as defender Steven Haines are among the newcomers who received valuable playing time in 2017.

Because of the past few seasons being transition years, Waynesburg has players, such as Snyder and senior forward Matt Hlasnick, who have been getting significant playing time since they were freshmen. That experience could be vital to a Yellow Jacket turn around next season.

Although the women’s team is losing more production than the men, Laura Heethuis will have plenty of talent coming back for next year. Among those graduating are forward Melanie Byler and defender Sam Nichols, who led the team in goals and assists, respectively, along with forward Nikki Davis and defender Sarah Hackman. The personnel are there, to fill the shoes left by the senior class.

Most of Waynesburg’s talent lies in its underclassmen. Five members of the freshman and sophomore classes were regular starters. Perhaps the most impressive of those underclassmen this season was freshman forward Emily Hill, who was second on the team in points with 10 and also tied for second in goals with four. Sophomore goalkeeper Courtney Syfert, who was limited this past season due to injury, has played a big role since early in her freshman year and will look to take over the role for good in 2018 with senior goalkeeper Heather Fraser graduating.

Both soccer teams have plenty of talent coming back, and that is a big reason to be optimistic going forward.

Close losses

Another similarity between the two teams is that both were on the wrong end of several tight games in 2017. Of their nine losses, the women lost six contests by just one goal. Waynesburg also didn’t win either of its overtime matches, losing to Juniata in the season opener, and drawing against LaRoche, a game in which the Jackets squandered a 2-0 lead.

The men’s team also had its fair share of close matches. Of Waynesburg’s nine losses, the Jackets fell by one goal four times, and also had two draws that they could not turn into wins.

In all sports, regardless of competition, many view losing close games as a sign of inexperience, which both soccer teams had plenty of this season. Both programs will come into 2018 battle tested, and their ability to close the door in tight matches could come with that experience.

An upward trend

In 2015, the men’s soccer team won just one game. Waynesburg raised its win total to four the next year, before winning five games this past season. The women have had a different journey. The Jackets regressed from six to five wins in 2016, and marginally improved this year, winning seven games.

Both Waynesburg soccer teams improved their win total this season from where it was the year before, and a lot of the players responsible for that improvement are returning next season. With the young talent that has been on display for both programs over the past few years, don’t be surprised if, in 2018, everything starts to come together, and both the men’s and women’s soccer teams place in the top four of the PAC, giving themselves a chance to win a conference championship next season.