Before I make a few remarks, I want to thank the coaching staff, my teammates, and especially my parents and sister, all whose guidance and support for the past four years have helped me become the best soccer player I could have possibly become.

When I arrived here four years ago, I came with high expectations. Those of you who know me know that I set bold goals in life, and college soccer was no exception. My dad and I both agreed that a good goal to set for my four years would be for the team to make the Centennial Conference playoffs by my junior year, and the NCAA tournament by my senior year. As it stands now, we did not achieve that goal, though we are much closer now than we were just one year ago. And, I wouldn't be too surprised at all if we achieve that goal a year late by earning a bid to the NCAA tournament next year (in fact, there is a part of me that is expecting it). I tell you this not to convey a sense of disappointment over not achieving my team goal during my four years here, but to tell you that I could not be more proud of how far we as a team have come. Though in my freshman year I never told anyone else on the team what my goal was for my four years, I am confident that if I had I would have received much the same reaction Jason did when in preseason he expressed his team goal of being undefeated this season. Look how quickly we have turned at least part of my bold goal for the team into a reality, and how even bold goals like Jason's from less than a year ago are now within reach. We are now a team to be contended with not just in our conference, but in the region and in the nation. We are a better team now then we were four years ago, and though that fact makes it harder for me to leave, at the same time it makes it easier for me to leave with no regrets.

Yes, I stand before you today as a man whose collegiate soccer career is behind him. Don't think for a second that I wouldn't trade most things I have in this world for another chance to play for this team. That is not to say that I don't expect to continue playing soccer in the future, for I will certainly play as much as I possibly can, but there is something unique and special about playing soccer for a team such as this one. Over my four years the team has changed, the coach has changed, and even the playing surface has changed. But constant throughout all of that change has been that I was a member of the Swarthmore Men's College soccer team. With membership on this team comes a tremendous sense of pride and tradition each time you put on your jersey and step out onto the field. Certainly, as coach has often said and I agree, this sense of pride and tradition means that as a member of this program you represent not only the rest of those currently on this team, but also all of those who have come before you. I'm here to tell you today that this sense of connection with all of those who have played under the banner of Swarthmore College Men's Soccer is not an artificial one meant to motivate you and keep you well behaved. No, instead this is a very real connection, because whether you believe it or not the hearts and souls of all of those who have played for this team go out with each and every one of you as you walk onto the field. They celebrate the wins, and feel the sadness of our losses, whether they are at the game in person or reading the score on the internet or in their e-mail. I tell you now that we are not a team of the 25 or so listed on our roster, but instead of hundreds and hundreds all across the nation and the world. And for that reason, I can leave now happily knowing that at least some part of me will always be part of the Swarthmore College Men's Soccer team.

Thanks for a great four years, and I look forward to hearing (and seeing) great things from all of you next year, and in the years to come.