Thomas

JACKSON TWP — Chase Thomas and Connor Schmidt's search for a place to call home for the next four years led them to the same destination.

Both senior soccer players at Seneca Valley recently signed letters of intent to play at Westminster College.

“Every kid has a dream of playing big-time Division I soccer, but I decided my main goal was to play, period,” said Thomas, a defender. “I feel that Girish (Thakar, Westminster head coach) gave me the best chance to do that.”

Thomas also considered Penn State Behrend while Schmidt was looking at Pitt-Greensburg, but Westminster won out in both cases.

Both players were starters the last two seasons at Seneca Valley, helping the Raiders to a WPIAL Class 4A title and the program's first-ever state title last fall.

Schmidt contributed 10 goals and six assists in 2020.

“The timing and placement of his runs was always good. He could see an opportunity opening up and he would get there,” said SV coach George Williams. “He scored some big goals for us early on last season and we were able to keep that momentum going.”

Thomas split time between being a straight defender and a defensive-minded midfielder his junior season before remaining in the back last season when he scored once and added six assists.

“He was extremely good at going forward. He stopped a lot of opposing attacks and started a lot of our own,” said Williams.

Thakar sees an opportunity for both players to see playing time next fall.

“Connor is not a true forward, meaning he is just as capable of getting an assist as he is a goal,” he said. “Chase can play in the back or up in the midfield.

“For freshmen, flexibility is important because it gives them a better chance of getting on the field.”

Schmidt has played competitive soccer for eight years. He is anxious at the thought of playing for four more.

“I didn't want my soccer career to end in high school,” he said. “I am looking forward to playing and getting better.”

Thomas relishes not just the team aspect of soccer, but also the individual matchups.

“Each game you play, each team, each player you defend is different,” he said. “It gives you a sense of accomplishment when you win.”

Westminster competes in the Presidents' Athletic Conference, which pushed the soccer season, which would have been held last fall, to this spring.

The last season the Titans played was the fall of 2019, when they went 10-8-3 overall and 5-1-2 in conference games.

Schmidt and Thomas, who both plan to major in business, were also teammates for three seasons outside of high school for SCS United. The two are close friends off the field.

“I would have meshed with the team (at Westminster), but knowing Chase is also going there, I won't feel out of place at the start,” Schmidt said.

The duo hope to be part of memorable soccer moments at the collegiate level. They certainly were in high school.

“It was a difficult season with the way things were,” added Schmidt. “I don't think people saw us as a team that could win it all. Overcoming everything and how hard we all worked to get there, it's something I'll always remember.”

Schmidt