Freshman nets accolades

Matt Stinson has acquired quite a few accolades in his soccer career, and the freshman midfielder recently added another. 

Stinson discovered he was chosen for collegesoccernews.com’s yearly list of the Top 100 Freshmen to Watch in a fairly peculiar way.

“I saw the list in the locker room; no-one really told me about it,” he said.

Stinson said he was “surprised” about the honor because he was unaware that any organization had even done research on freshmen. 

In fact, College Soccer News was established only 10 years ago, in hope of “increasing the coverage of college soccer throughout the country,” according to its editor Bob Bradner.

Although not part of the NCAA, the organization maintains a wide network of assistant coaches and coaches, who, as well as the schools and clubs themselves, send information and statistics to the website. 

The staff then develops the top freshmen list according to a list of criteria that must be met, such as leadership on a team, experience and potential.

Though its nice to be reconigzed by the organization, Stinson refused to let the honor go to his head.

“If you perform wherever you are people will notice you, and while I appreciate that they know about me, I’m not going to show off now,” he said.

Having a humble disposition is a learned trait for the Toronto native.

Stinson has been the captain of his Toronto youth team and the MVP of the Canadian Summer Games. He was also called up for the U-20 Canadian National men’s team at the age of 17.

“Teammates always keep you humble, especially when receiving awards, but I’ve learned over the years that it’s something I’ve gotten used to and deal with in a good way,” he said.   

Stinson’s Eagle teammates will be glad to have the freshman grounded in order to focus on the season ahead.

The young Canadian will be tasked with keeping the Winthrop defense clear to aid their offense, which has only converted two goals from 42 shots in their first two matches. 

Winthrop (1-1) will travel to North Carolina and Tennessee for 3 crucial nonconference matches, hoping their young squad can rebound from a 3-0 loss against the Mercer Bears on Sept. 5.

Stinson said he’s not concerned with playing for the glory outside Rock Hill.

“Going to North Carolina is a good opportunity,” Stinson said, “but I’m going there to win games. We have to bounce back, so we’re worried about moving forward.”