Men's Soccer Lynch Talks about 2015 Season
8/24/2015 4:00:00 AM | Men's Soccer
By Andrew Call
Eric Lynch learned early that he might be particularly gifted at soccer—very early.
“The first time I played competitive soccer was in a rec league when I was 4 years old,” Lynch recalled. “I can't say I was in love with soccer. I used to go through practice just sitting on the ball.
“In the first game of the season, I took the ball off the kickoff, dribbled down and scored a goal. Then I slid on my stomach to celebrate. I guess that was about the time I decided to put more of myself into soccer.”
Lynch has put a lot of himself into soccer and is realizing the rewards for his hard work. Wright State's junior midfielder and team captain has become one of the nation's most productive offensive players. He led NCAA Division I with 13 assists as a sophomore in 2014 and was named Horizon League Player of the Year.
His primary goal for 2015 is to lead the Raiders to a league championship and a spot in the NCAA championship tournament—a realistic goal, thanks to Lynch and a run of solid recruiting classes.
“Eric is a special finisher who also has a knack for finding open players and giving us assists,” Raiders coach Bryan Davis said. “That all goes back to the way he trains and carries himself. He approaches every practice with an extremely workmanlike attitude. He wants more than what he already has. That is why he is our captain.”
Lynch also tied for the team lead with seven goals in 2014 as the Raiders finished 12-7-2, the most victories in a season since 2001.
Lynch was raised in an athletic family that includes older brother Chris, a four-year starter at Walsh University; younger brother Mark, who plays for Bellbrook; and cousin Julie Johnston, a defender on America's gold medal-winning World Cup women's team.
The three-time all-state star at Bellbrook scored 110 career goals in high school and was recruited by Ohio State, Michigan State, and Louisville. Wright State showed the most interest, however, and was close to home.
“He made a brave choice, a choice that takes guts, to be part of the changes that were going on at Wright State,” Davis said.
That choice appears to be paying off for both the Raiders and Lynch as they consider the potential of the 2015 season.
“I think we can definitely win it (the Horizon League) this year and go far in the NCAA tournament,” Lynch said. “This year and year after, I think we're going to be incredible.”
