FULTON, Mo. - Westminster men's and women's soccer celebrates its 11 seniors before their matches Wednesday, Oct. 18 against Fontbonne. The matches are set for 5 p.m. (men) and 7 p.m. (women).
The men's soccer graduating class of 2017 has compiled a record of 47-23-3 in the last four years. During that time, they've won three St. Louis Intercollegiate Athletic Conference Tournament championships and have been to three NCAA tournaments. Last season, the squad won their opening NCAA round before bowing out of the tournament in round two.
Daniel Barone: The Tulsa Oklahoma native has played in 68 games in a Blue Jay uniform, starting in 50. In his four years, he's logged 17 goals, 11 assists, and 129 shots, including 7 game-winners. Last season, Barone was a second team All-Conference pick along with being an All-Tournament team selection in 2015. This season, he leads the team in goals with six. A business management major, Daniel plans to pursue a professional soccer career.
Raul Belman: Raul has also played in 68 games for Westminster, starting in 62 as a goalkeeper, logging over 5,000 minutes between the posts for the Blue Jays. Belman has posted a career goals against average of 1.23, including an 0.68 goals against average in the 15-16 season. Raul has also made 231 saves and has a .762 save percentage, including 16 career shutouts. Belman was named the SLIAC Defensive Player of the Year in 2015, and was a first team All-Conference pick in 2014 and 2015, along with a second team pick in 2013. A Sports Management major, Raul plans to open up his own goalkeeper academy.
Patrick Bromstedt: The Columbia, Mo., native has been part of the Blue Jay soccer team for three years, playing in 44 games and starting in 26. In his career, the defender has scored three goals and tallied three assists on 18 shots. A business communications major with an emphasis in marketing, Patrick plans to play a lot of golf upon graduation.
Austin Chandler: Austin has played all four years for Westminster, playing in 67 games and starting in 45. The Ash Grove, Mo., native has scored seven goals on 61 shots in his career, also recording nine assists. This season, Austin has scored three goals, including one game-winner. A business marketing major, Austin plans to pursue a master's degree in marketing after graduation.
Blake Hausman: Blake has played all four years for Westminster, seeing action in 58 games and starting in 51. The defender has tallied eight goals on 34 shots in his career, including one assist. Blake was a SLIAC second team pick in 2015 and 2016. An environmental studies major, Blake plans to graduate first, and then figure out his plans.
Mauricio Mateo: He has played all four years for Westminster, seeing action in 65 games and starting in 38. In his career, Mauricio has scored six goals, including two this season, and tallied 10 assists. He was selected to the SLIAC second team in 2015. A business finance major, Mauricio hopes to move out of his parent's house after graduation.
Cooper Smith: The Columbia, Mo. Native has seen action in 44 games, starting 35 in his three years at Westminster. During that time, the defender has recorded six goals and seven assists. Last season, Cooper was named to the SLIAC All-Conference first team. A business communications major, Cooper plans to find a job and backpack around Europe after he graduates.
Over the last four years, the women's soccer outgoing class has compiled a record of 33-28-4, making the SLIAC Tournament each of the last three years. In the 2015 season, the squad won the conference tournament and earned a bid to the NCAA Tournament, falling in the first round to Illinois Wesleyan.
Payton Beeler: Over her four years, Payton has played in 63 games, starting in 43. She has tallied 11 goals and 10 assists during that time, including two game-winners. The Marshall, Mo. Native is also a two-time SLIAC Academic All-conference honoree. Payton's advice to her teammates is "Don't settle for sub-par." Her favorite memory includes Katharine getting called out at the Christmas party and getting embarrassed. A physics, chemistry and engineering major, Payton plans to begin work on her PhD in chemical engineering or physics after graduation.
Morgan Henry: In her three years on the women's soccer team, Morgan has played and started in 47 games for the Blue Jays. She's recorded 22 goals in that time, including five this season, and one assist. Morgan was a SLIAC first team selection in both 2015 and 2016, and an academic All-conference pick in 2016. Her advice for her teammates is "Don't forget to have passion in the box." Her favorite soccer memory includes winning the conference championship in her sophomore season among many others. A Waynesville native and biochemistry major, Morgan plans to study salmon populations on the Snake River in Washington State after graduation.
Honor Kehde: In her four years as a Blue Jay, Honor has seen action in 58 games, starting in 56. The defender has tallied two goals and three assists in her career. In the 2016 season, Honor was a SLIAC All-Conference third team pick. Her favorite memory is winning the conference tournament her sophomore season against Webster. Her advice to the team is a quote from Winston Churchill, "Now this is not the end. It is not even the beginning of the end. But it is, perhaps, the end of the beginning." She asks her teammates to "not take these moments for granted. Life moves so fast, and it won't be long before you are standing up here as seniors yourself. So give it your all and enjoy every moment." The Sedalia native is a middle school social sciences major and hopes to return to Sedalia after graduation to pursue a teaching and coaching position.
Paige Townsend: In her two short years at Westminster after transferring in for her junior and senior seasons, Paige has logged 21 goals, including 13 this year, and six assists. Last season, Townsend was a SLIAC second team pick. Paige's advice for her teammates would be to "appreciate every moment, the highs and the lows, because before you know it, it'll be over. And to learn to say yes more than no, because you never know the memories and opportunities you will create." Paige's favorite soccer memory would be all the crazy bus trips with the team and scoring against Webster in the conference tournament last year. A business communications major, Paige plans to graduate in December and seek a full-time job in advertising or management.
