Elias Takes Over Men's Soccer

There’s a new man in charge of the Middlebury men’s soccer team. Last season’s assistant coach Alex Elias ’08 is taking over the program from David Saward, who retired after an illustrious 33-year career coaching the Panthers. During his time, Saward amassed a whopping 347 wins, as well as 10 NCAA tournament appearances and the program’s first NCAA title in 2007.

Saward’s last season was a special one for the Panthers, despite ending with a loss in the first round of the NCAA tournament. Kye Moffat ’19 noted that last year the boys rallied around the energy of shutdown goalkeeper and senior tri-captain Jeremy Yeager.

“[We] were fired up to be playing with [Yeager] and to extend coach’s last season,” Moffat said. 

Moffat also referenced many special moments for the 2017 team. Moffat described one weekend when senior tri-captain Jed Sass scored an exciting winning goal against Amherst and then another one at home against Hamilton. In reference to the final 2017 captain Enzo Weiner ’18, Moffat said he will miss how “Enzo tackled harder than anyone in the league.”

 This year, sophomore Matt Hyer looks to fill Yeager’s goalkeeper shoes on the field and in the locker room. Moffat, stepping in at center back for Weiner, hopes to carry on Weiner’s tradition of tough-nosed play. Moffat will additionally continue the legacy of his oldest brother Corey Moffat ’08, who played center back on Saward’s 2007 NCAA Championship team. 

Elias, who also played for Saward’s 2007 team, looks to continue the legacy left behind by his former coach. Moffat describes Elias’s coaching style as more low-key than his predecessor. According to Moffat, Elias puts major emphasis on old-fashioned hard work. 

“Elias demands hard work, and he wants the results to speak for themselves,” Moffat said. 

Although he was an assistant last year, Elias is preparing to bring his own flavor to the men’s soccer program. Moffat noted that it has taken some time to get used to the new team formations and tactics. The transition has led to a slow start for the Panthers. Already the Panther’s record includes an overtime tie at home to Norwich University on September 4 and a devastating last minute 1-0 loss to Connecticut College on September 8.  

The Panther’s next game is Saturday, September 15 at home against Amherst at 12:00 p.m. Moffat urges the student body to turn out regardless of the slow start. 

“I am not worrying about the results so far and neither should you guys,” Moffat said. “So come out to the game this Saturday.”