TEUTOPOLIS — Noah Thompson prefers being a savior.
At least, that’s how the goalkeeper looks at his soccer career.
“Being the hero is fun,” he said.
Thompson saved the Teutopolis soccer team countless times this past year for the back-to-back regional champions. He finished with 203 saves and five clean sheets. Only 29 players scored against him.
“He had a really good season,” head coach Aaron Wendt said. “I think the confidence boost he got his junior year helped him.”
Thompson came into the goalie position raw.
As a junior, he was the third-string keeper behind Jackson Kinkelaar and Kolten Tabbert.
Unfortunate injuries ended their seasons, though, leaving the team to go to Thompson. And he delivered.
“Noah did great his junior year. He stepped up when we really needed him, too, and I think he matured even more this year,” assistant coach and athletic trainer Suzy Wendt said. “I couldn’t have asked any more of him last year. He did a great job. This year, he was our leader. He was our senior. He was one of the biggest leaders on the team, so he did need to step up a little bit more and do a little more for us. And he did that. Between leading the team and stopping the goals, it was his personality. He was a great person to have on the team and a lot of fun. He keeps the younger kids having fun and keeps them interested in soccer and enjoying themselves.
“He’s a big asset in a lot of different ways.”
The Wooden Shoes graduated nearly their entire team, leaving Thompson as one of the only returners with experience.
“I had to step up quite a bit because my defense changed from all seniors to one junior and three sophomores,” Thompson said. “I had to learn how to coordinate really fast, learn how to move them up the field and get them set up, so I don’t get shot at.”
Aaron Wendt added, “He definitely had to settle the backline because they were all brand new. Everyone across the backline was brand new to varsity. There was a little more on his shoulders this year and I think he handled it well.”
Thompson handled the pressure situations well, too, though that isn’t new.
In his junior year, Thompson scored the game-winning penalty kick against Greenville to help T-Town lift a regional plaque.
His senior year, Thompson’s back was against the wall against Staunton in the same game. The opposition scored two goals on Thompson after the Shoes had taken an initial two-goal lead.
Continuing to stay true to himself, Thompson didn’t allow another goal to cross while his team scored twice.
“Goalie is difficult because you can do really great all game long and let one in and that’s how it goes,” Suzy said. “You have one lapse and that can be the game. We’re really proud of him for keeping his head in the game after giving up those two goals. That says a lot because I think that’s easy to do and as soon as you get in your head, it’s difficult to get back. We are impressed and pleased that he was able to keep himself in the game and really seal the deal that second half.”
Thompson said that coaching has helped him more than anything.
With little experience, the 2024 Effingham Daily News Defensive Player of the Year was able to make the most of the time he spent on the pitch.
He said Suzy and Aaron pushed him to be the best he could be.
“They pushed me to my best and definitely gave me tips and pointers on how to lead and direct my defenders,” Thompson said.
Aaron added that he didn’t have to coach him on much outside of the little things, which he mentioned Thompson excelled at as a senior.
“It’s one of those things where I think he has the natural and physical ability, which helps. He’s bigger, stronger. He can command the box a lot easier,” Aaron said. “That was one of his natural tendencies and it was easier for me to coach him on the small stuff. I think he did a good job of that this year — working on the small things. It’s hard to replicate in practice those things, but he did a really good job of handling those.”