For senior Ty Bowden, he has created lasting long friendships on the field that has shaped him to be the person he is today.
The past four years have been filled with challenges and accomplishments and he wants to leave it all out on the field in his final season.
“I started playing soccer because I was drawn to the fast pace and the team aspect of the game. I love how every position plays a crucial role, and the dynamic nature of the sport kept me engaged. It was also a great way to stay active, build teamwork skills, and have fun with friends,” said Bowden.
Bowden emphasizes what playing at Ashland University these past 4 years has done for him.
“Playing soccer here at Ashland has been a pivotal part of my college experience, it has allowed me to develop friendships that will last a lifetime and represent the university with pride,” Bowden said.
Head Men’s Soccer Coach Nick Roberts also emphasized how important Ty has been for Ashland over the years.
“Ty has been consistently steady for us over the past 4 years. He has been a three-year starter; a lot of the players look to him as a leader, and he has been there for us,” Roberts said. “What Ty has done after coming off injury last year and coming back ready to go show what kind of a player he is for us.”
Injured all of 2023 after earning 2022 Great Midwest Goalkeeper of the Year and first-team All-Great Midwest honors while also playing every minute of that 2022 season in goal, going 12-7-1 with a 1.45 goals-against average and 78 saves.
From a first-year student to a senior Ty talks about how he has evolved as a player.
“Initially, I was focused on individual performance but over time I learned the value of leadership and contributing to the overall team dynamic. My IQ of the game has gotten better as well as balancing my academics with athletics which has made me more confident as a player and a person.”
As Bowden enters his final season at Ashland University, he begins to plan on what he wants to do after exiting his collegiate career and what coaching means to him as he enters his final season.
“After college, I plan to pursue my MBA here at Ashland University. I am interested in Business Analytics or Management Information Systems, as I want to build a strong foundation. Also, I want to be involved with the team potentially in a coaching role so I can give back to the program that has given me so much over the years,” Bowden concluded.
