The BYU men’s soccer team had their Senior Nigh” on Saturday at South Field, honoring the players who would be graduating and leaving the team after the season.
They reflected on some of their favorite memories of being on the team, plans after graduation and advice they would give to younger players.
Carter Olsen, a forward for the team, has a goal of returning to Hawaii to help build The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints new temple in Honolulu.
Olsen reflected on his time at BYU with his favorite memory from playing on the team is “going through the temple with one of my captains my freshman year.” He said he will miss seeing his friends everyday but the advice he would give to younger players is to “listen to the older kids cause they have a lot of wisdom, not just with soccer, with everything.” He was able to score one final time on South Field during the team's last home game of the season on Saturday.
Max Magleby is a forward for the Cougar team and his plans after graduation are to work for an advertising agency after switching majors.
His favorite memory from playing at BYU is “probably beating UVU’s D1 team or how my brother played here 17 years ago and he was taped by Denise so probably getting Denise treating me. I have known her since I was a little kid.”
Magleby will miss hanging out with his friends most and said, “I’ve been here for a while so everyone has become best friends.” His words of wisdom to younger players are to “really want it ... Majority of these players are the better players that came from their club but they still stick with hit so be more resilient.”
Dylan Rodriguez is BYU’s center back and his plans after graduation are to get married, start a family and work full time as a project manager.
Rodriguez’s favorite memory is also beating UVU’s D1 men’s soccer team twice. He will miss hanging out with his friends in the training room and enjoying time with the team. His final piece of advice to younger players would be “don’t take it for granted. Enjoy every single moment. Work hard.”
McKay Erickson, a midfielder with plans after graduation to get married and have kids. His favorite memory would be winning nationals last year in penalty kicks as well as “scoring my first goal against Boise State. We were up 7-0.”
Erickson will miss hanging out with the players and coaches and the fun times they had together over the years. His advice for younger players would be to “take advantage of every situation that you can to learn and become better and be Christlike.”
Colton Rouse is the team’s wingback. His plans after graduation are to go to dental school. His favorite memory from being on the team would be scoring a goal off of his chest. Rouse said he would “miss the culture and the guys. The good people is the best part of playing here.”
His advice he would give to younger players on the team would be to “buy into the culture and enjoy it while you have it.”
Ryan Tetro, one of the captains on the team this year, plays wingback and has plans to work full time as a software engineer after graduation. His favorite memory from playing would be the comeback after being down 1-0 against Minnesota in the championship and winning in the last few minutes of the game.
Tetro will miss hanging out with the team every day and building those relationships as well as joking with his friends during warmups and playing soccer with them. The piece of advice he would like to pass down is “don’t take it for granted. It goes faster than you think it will so enjoy it. It’s one of the best things you will get to experience.”
Alex Fankhauser is a senior from last year who returned for one last season with the team. He plays midfield and wingback and his plans are to work full time as a software engineer and start a family. His favorite memory would be winning the national championship last year in penalty kicks. He will miss being with his brothers on the team every day and the advice he would like to pass down is “don’t take it for granted. Be grateful every day that you are here. Give it your all.”
The seniors' time on South Field has ended but they leave a legacy behind. The team will compete in regionals on Friday and Saturday at Weber State.