Fresh start
BUTLER TWP — Three-year Butler boys soccer starting goalkeeper Andrew Chwalik may feel like he's starting all over in college.
He need not worry.
He won't be alone.
Chwalik recently signed a letter of intent to continue his academic and soccer career at Mount St. Mary's University. The Mountaineers are bringing back its men's soccer program next fall.
The school last fielded a team in 2012.
“I'm excited about getting in on the ground floor of a new tradition,” Chwalik said.
Chwalik allowed only 20 goals in 20 games for the Golden Tornado last season. He recorded 13 shutouts in the past two years.
He had plenty of other collegiate opportunities, including Mount Union, Lake Erie, St. Francis and William & Mary.
But Chwalik is the only goalkeeper among Mount St. Mary's initial 11-player recruiting class.
“We'll be bringing in another wave of players,” Mountaineers coach Brian Cunningham said. “A couple of them will be goalies who are transfers from other universities, guys with a little more experience.
“I won't rule out Andrew being our starter as a freshman. I've started freshmen at the position before and he'll get his shot at it. But it really is a major step from high school to college as a goalkeeper.
“The crosses are different. The shots come harder and the game moves faster,” Cunningham added.
The coach is from the Allentown area — where Mount St. Mary's is located — and spent 10 years as men's soccer coach at the University of Central Florida. He guided that program to the NCAA Tournament twice.
“This is a new, fresh challenge,” he said of starting a collegiate program from scratch. “We recruited Andrew on potential. He's got all of the tools we're looking for in a college goalkeeper.”
The Mountaineers were 4-12-1 in 2012, the last year it fielded a men's soccer team. The school competes in the Northeast Conference (NEC) and does not field a football team.
“Our budget for soccer is bigger than what I had at Central Florida,” Cunningham said. “We are the prime fall sport here and I feel like we can be a competitive team right away.”
Chwalik plans to major in primary and special education.
And, of course, play right away.
“But I'll do anything to help the team work as a team,” Chwalik said,. “My ultimate goal is to win a national championship before I leave there.
“I've been a goalkeeper since I was 10. I love the game. It's my favorite team sport.”
Chwalik played basketball at Butler through ninth grade. He also plays boys volleyball and unified bocce at the school.
“We join forces with special needs kids on the bocce team and it's a great experience for everybody,” he said. “That's one of the reasons I want to major in that area.”
Chwalik also believes his leadership skills can play a role on the soccer pitch in college.
“We're going to build something special there and I feel like I have some leadership qualities that can help out there, especially as a goalkeeper,” he said.
