Webster University men’s soccer player Mike Wells wasn’t sure how his first year with the Gorloks would play out. Wells transferred from Greenville College (Ill.) — Webster’s rival in the St. Louis Intercollegiate Athletic Conference.
In his freshman year at Greenville, Wells played in 18 games and started only two. He scored no goals for the Panthers. Yet in his first game for Webster, Wells scored a goal — the first of his career and the first of the season for Webster — against Lindenwood University-Belleville (Ill.) on Sept. 1, 2012. Wells scored the first goal Loras College (Iowa) allowed on Sept. 8. Loras would go on to end its season in the Final Four of the NCAA Division III tournament.
Wells, a sophomore midfielder, continued on to pile up 8 goals, which led the Gorloks and tied for sixth overall in the SLIAC. But he said the keys to his success in 2012 were thanks to his new teammates and friends.
“I would say that my teammates and coaches were always there,” Wells said. “Everyone welcomed me pretty well, coming from a rival college. That always helps.”
Wells’ best statistical game came Oct. 13, 2012 against Eureka College in Eureka, Ill. Wells recorded 4 points — 2 goals — in Webster’s 5-0 victory. That victory helped contribute to Webster’s 6-1-1 conference record.
Wells said the game at Greenville on Oct. 27 was pretty big for him going up against his former team. The Gorloks tied the Panthers 2-2 to seal the SLIAC regular-season title for Webster.
“I was kind of nervous before the game started, but once I knew my teammates were there for me and I was there for my teammates, everything worked out,” Wells said.
The Gorloks locked up the No. 1 seed in the SLIAC and marched to their second conference crown in four years. The title gave Webster an automatic bid to the national tournament.
Wells said he plans on playing in the midfield for Webster his last two years as a Gorlok. And his goals for those two years are simple.
“I still plan on playing another two years and hopefully adding a couple more conference championships and another chance at the national tournament,” Wells said.
Runner-up: Travis Blair, men’s tennis
Click HERE to view The Journal’s pick for ‘Female Newcomer of the Year’
Click HERE to return to the navigation page of The Journal’s 2012-2013 Athletic Awards
Share this post
