In the Swamp with TJ Zehner
In the Swamp With....
TJ Zehner, Sage Men's Soccer Team Captain
by Trona Cenac, a freshman undeclared major at Sage & Leighani Wright, a freshman business administration major at Sage. Both are student assistants in the Athletic Communication's office at Sage.
Over the years, Sage's Men's soccer team has become the epitome of improvement. With teamwork, they have managed to construct a winning program. Head coach Kyle Clancy has faith in the team and their continuous dream to take part in the NCAA conference and come out victorious. Despite the fact that they have lost a large number of their defenders, the team continues to hold their heads high as they work towards their goal. The program is full of fresh faces with the team consisting of 12 new members between the incoming freshman class and transfer student-athletes. As the coach of the team for the past five years, Clancy is grateful for the opportunity to work with such dedicated and optimistic young men. He has realized the impact of being a coach and the effect it can have on the lives of his players.
Influence is a powerful thing; ask TJ Zehner.
TJ, a junior, is the starting goalkeeper and sole captain of the 2014 Gators. After spending so many years looking up to his older brother, TJ became a part of Sage's men's soccer team in the fall of 2012. From the age of seven it has been TJ's dream to become a professional soccer player and he still hold hopes of accomplishing his goal. As the captain of the team, he admits to having a rough start to the season thus far. On top of losing his past defensive line to graduation, TJ and his teammates have had a tough time transitioning. Yet he states "giving up is not an option."
The Gators collected a 3-2 win over MCLA to secure the team's first victory of the 2014 campaign and now stand at 1-4 heading into tonight's match-up with the Dutchmen of Union College. Sophomore, Kyle LeClerc, leads the team in scoring with 2 goals and 4 points. In the net for the Gators, Zehner holds a record of 1-4 with a save percentage of .633 in 5 starts.
