This addition of “Amongst The Streak” features Tiger’s #17 Josh Befus.  Josh is from

#17 Josh Befus Defending

Beloit, Wisconsin, but was born in San Jose, Costa Rica.  He is the brother of former Tiger Brent Befus, and cousin of former Tiger Caleb Befus as well as current teammate Cameron Befus.   Josh is a Biblical Studies Major with a Pastoral emphasis and plans to be on the missions field somewhere.  Josh was asked what he enjoys about being a part of this team and said getting to build solid relationships, getting in shape, and working towards team goals together.  One of Josh’s favorite moments is the start he had against Emmaus.  Josh also said that being a family of teammates is what means to be a part of the GBC Men’s Soccer Team.  Josh also enjoys other sports and activities such as football, basketball, golf, reading, hiking, and camping and says “Go Packers”.    “I really enjoy having Josh as a player, even if he is a Packers fan.  He is a player that gives one hundred percent and always works hard.  He listens and works to carry out what is asked of him by our coaching staff, even if it means stepping in as an emergency goalkeeper to face a penalty kick and did more than anyone could have asked.  Josh has a lot of athletic ability and is really transforming that onto the soccer field.  He has solid character and a player all coaches would want on their squad”, commented Coach Buchanan. 

Going into the 2012 season, the Tigers have decided to add Josh Armstrong as a captain along with fellow seniors Andrew Clark and Ryan Snyder.  Josh will be playing in his third season at GBC after transferring in two years ago.  “Josh was an easy decision as captain. Although three is not typical, I think we have good balance with Andrew, Ryan and Josh.  These are three different players but all have a leadership qualities in different areas which is a big plus for this squad going forward”, said Coach Buchanan.

Jon Proskey will suit up for the Tigers this fall.  Jon is the son of Jeremy and Nancy

Jon Signs With Mom Nancy, Father Jeremy And Coach Buchanan

Thibos and the brother of Allissa, Sarina, and David.  As a  defender Jon  played two years of varsity soccer at Freedom Chrstian High School after suffering an injury his sophomore year.  From the back Jon recorded one goal and two assists.  Jon is also strong in the classroom as an Honor Roll student and also plays baseball for Freedom. He also enjoys music, archery, linguistics and is involved with mission trips. “We are excited to have Jon and his family here as a part of ours at Grace.  I think Jon is coming into his own as a player with a terrific upside.  He is a fantastic young man with a bright future.  He will bring good size to the back line with a eagerness and quality work ethic”, said Coach Buchanan.  Jon had this to say about joining coming to Grace and joining the Tigers “I am very thankful for this opportunity. I never dreamed that I would have the chance to play college soccer. I never let my hopes slip away and it’s a good thing too, because God presented me with this amazing chance to do something I love, to use the abilities he has given me and glorify him through something which I love so much. I am looking forward to getting to know all the guys on the team and building new relationships outside of soccer as well.”

Coach Laurie, Jon, and Coach Buchanan

The 2012 Men’s Soccer schedule has been released.  The Tiger’s will face some familiar competition as well as others they have never before played.    The Tigers will have ten home games in the 2012 season and eight away matches regular season games.  Some of the similar faces they will see at home are  NCCAA Kuyper College, Maranatha Baptist, Kentucky Christian, and Northalnd International University.  The Tigers will also face Rochester  College (USCAA/NAIA),  Finlandia University (NCAA III) at home on Velting Field.  The Tigers will travel and face new opposition such as Purdue University Calumet (NAIA), Robert Morris Lake County (USCAA/NAIA),  Appalachian Bible College (NCCAA)  in West Virginia, Lincoln Christian College in Lincoln Illinois, and Emmaus Bible College in Dubuque Iowa, and play Robert Morris Springfield (USCAA) at home.  “It is an interesting schedule in that we will get the opportunity to go places we have not gone before and face competition we have not played before.  The trips to West Virginia and Iowa will be exciting travel opportunities. We also have a good amount of home games this year which will be nice coming off of last years season where it seemed we were on road trips most of the year. The end part of the schedule will be tough with so many games close together.  I know the guys will be excited about the challenges of quality competition and eagerness to get the season started”, said Head Coach Dustin Buchanan.

When spectators come to watch a soccer game at Grace, the game is played on Velting Field.   This is the venue where Grace Varsity  Soccer Team has played their home games for years, as well as providing a pitch for different clubs throughout past summers.  It is no surprise that other teams take interest and enjoy playing on this wonderful field.  “There is nothing like walking through the gates and seeing the field in late August before the first game.  We are blessed with such a great pitch.  It has so many possibilities of becoming even better and it is exciting to think about.  We have played on new turf fields but nothing compares to a well kept grass field like Velting Field  which I will always prefer,” said Head Coach Dustin Buchanan. Any person who watches a game here knows that the pitch is quality and a lot of work goes into it.

Tiger’s only Senior David Simmer was given his jersey framed in recognition of his

Tiger's Senior Captain David Simmer

dedication and contribution to GBC as a student athlete.  “David came to Grace during my second year which may have been the toughest win/loss wise but one of the most special to me.  Each of us knew what that time was like and came together at that time and we were laying a foundation of things to come and David was a vital part of that.  I believe any team I’ve been involved with it is important to have a true family like atmosphere and David was right on board and a fantastic leader from day one.  David is the player all coaches would love to have.  He’s one I could always count on and he should be proud of the things he has accomplished here”, said Coach Buchanan.  Assistant Coach Eric Laurie had this to say, “David is a fantastic leader on and off the field.  He’s the captain you always want to have and I enjoyed coaching him even for one year.  I know he will always be a special part of GBC.”  David was able to talk on a few things about his time at GBC.

“My three years of soccer at Grace hold some of the fondest memories for me. From struggling through two a days my first season, to national tournaments in Oklahoma City, my experience is filled with unforgettable and life changing moments. I’ve heard it said by many different people that college athletics can create some of the most impacting moments in a person’s life, and I would agree 100 percent. The physical demands, busy schedule, and tough losses only aided in making the good moments that much sweeter. At no point do I regret my experience playing soccer at Grace, and know that I will cherish the memories for the rest of my life.  Some of my closest friendships developed through the soccer team. Struggling alongside of each of these guys, the long road trips together, the tough losses, and the incredible wins drew us together in ways that I never expected. There is such value in being a teammate alongside the awesome guys that make up the men’s soccer team at GBC, and I consider myself incredibly blessed to have had this opportunity. Coach Buchanan has become a good friend and made my soccer experience that much better. He was an awesome coach and I can’t wait to continue my friendship with him as well after graduation.   Some of my fondest moments during game play would be my game winning overtime goal against Great Lakes, my half bike goal against Kuyper, and scoring the first goal of the 2011 season against Maranatha. In essence, I was able to experience “every kind” of scoring experience that I could ask for. The rush of scoring a goal is always special, especially in all three of these very meaningful situations. I relive these goals in my mind frequently.  The atmosphere at Grace is something very special. Because we’re such a small school, there is an intimacy with the crowd. I know all of the fans personally, and am always aware of each and every one of them. I really can’t describe the feeling of looking out over our perfectly mowed pitch with the stands full of my friends and fellow students. It’s something special that I know I’ll never quite experience again.

Grace have been playing together in an indoor league this winter.  Grace have a team composed of current squad members as well as a couple former players.  The league offers quality competition  consisting of other college teams from the area as well player formed teams.  The Tigers roster includes current players Joshua Armstrong, Dan Pierpont, Travis Smith, Ryan Snyder, Andrew Clark, a new player Christ Anton getting valuable time in net, as well as two players of last years roster Alex Stoddard and Cameron Toliver.  “It is important for these guys to get as much soccer in as possible, and enjoying playing together throughout the winter.  There are always things they can work on and focus on and the more they play together the better”, said Tiger’s Assistant Coach Eric Laurie.

Coach Buchanan & Talo

Gonzalo “Talo” Vergara, arguably the best and most decorated soccer player in Grace Bible College history,  was inducted into the Hall of Fame Class of 2o11.  He earned All-Region Team honors in all four seasons at Grace, and was twice a first team NCCAA All-American.  In four years he totaled 86 goals and had over 50 assists.  He captained the Tigers and was a true leader during his time at GBC.   Talo brought the true meaning of the number ten jersey displaying it well for the Tigers.  “Talo was unstoppable during his time here.  I remember conversations we have had about his first years and how difficult they were because of the drastic difference from his home in Montevido, Uruguay where he played amongst the best in the country.  He is an amazing soccer player, but even more amazing person.  I am honored to have been his teammate and have him as a friend to this day.  I can’t think of a more deserving person than Talo to have his place cemented in history” said Coach Buchanan.

It is always interesting to look back on the different statistics, especially the most exciting one, goals!  Here is the list of the last four years “Golden Boot” winners and their tallies during the last four years.

2011:  Joshua Armstrong-10 goals (Muskegon, Mi).  After his first season with the Tigers, Josh  found a different role.  With the 2011 Tigers Team struggling to finish, Armstrong stepped up and became the player to lead the team in scoring.  Josh was an ACCA All-American and has been named to the Mid-West All-Region Team in 2010.  Runner Up-7 goals-Ryan Snyder (Wyoming, Mi).

2010: Kyle Hendricks 16 goals (Shelbyville, Mi).  Kyle came into his sophomore year looking to build on the fantastic freshman year he had, which he did.  With the 16 goals he scored, he made his two year total 30 goals.  He not only led the team in goals, but ended up second in assists as well, showing the more complete player he became.  After improving on his first year, Kyle was extremely unfortunate not to be named to the Mid-West All-Region team as he did in the previous year.  He was named an ACCA All-American in the 2010 season. Runner Up-14 goals- Alex Stoddard (Wayland, Mi).

2009: 14 Goals-Kyle Hendricks (Shelbyville, Mi).  Kyle from earned NCCA Mid-West All Region Team .  As a freshman, Kyle used his pace, strength and hard shot to net goals for the Tigers.  He would be named an ACCA All-American Honorable Mention in the 2009 season.  Runner Up- 8 goals- Caleb “Gato” Befus (San Antonia de Belen, Costa Rica)

2008:  24 Goals-David Kyulu-Burgess (Wayland, Mi).  You could say David “shocked” the NCCAA when he got on field with his goal scoring ability.  He had teams finding it tough to defend him.  One of the more impressive stats is that he did this in just 15 games.  He also recorded 5  assists in his only season as a Tiger.  He was named a Mid-West All-Region player as earning national recognition being named  NCCAA 2nd Team All-American as a freshman which is incredibly difficult to do.  Runner Up- 11 Goals-Brandon Herlien (Cadillac, Mi).

With the past years winners, who will become the 2012 leading scorer for the Tigers.  Will it be Josh Armstrong to take retain his title, or will it be a player like Ryan Snyder who was close behind the leader, a different player or an incoming player that steps up.  Whatever the case, the Tigers will be looking to score more than the 2011 season.

The relationships brought into and establish while playing soccer at GBC prove to be long lasting ones.  Many former Tigers still stay close on an off the field.  Whether it is in their churches, long distance around the the country and world, or neighbors many former soccer players stay close.  “Many of of came from different backgrounds and places.  One common thing we related to was soccer.  Playing college soccer here at GBC regardless of it was for one or four years it is a special bond that has proven over and over to be life long”, said former player and current Tiger’s Coach Dustin Buchanan.   Right now there are many different players who get together and continue to play the sport they are passionate about.  Former player Kyle Shoemaker who is now General Manager for Comprenew Enviormental here in Grand Rapids commented “Sports and soccer are all about relationships, both on and off the field.  Grace Soccer allowed me to build and grow meaningful friendships while at school with some great guys. These guys are still a part of my life and I am still playing with them now, almost 10 years later.I continue to meet younger Grace players through soccer and encourage them with their game and their life”.