Soccer
November 8
Millions of American children play soccer growing up. Some never make it out of their Saturday morning rec leagues, choosing other sports or activities to occupy their time. Others play in high school and then retire their shin guards and cleats once they hit college. Then there are some whose abilities and love of the game keep them going through college and sometimes even beyond. Though they grew up 1,000 miles apart, senior tri-captains Mike Guigli and Todd Gilbert have spent the last 17 years of their lives devoted to a game that inspires so many people around the world, and they have spent the last four doing it together in Somerville. The final whistle in Oct. 30's playoff game against Middlebury signaled not only the end to Tufts' 2005 season, but also to the long soccer careers of two Jumbos who made significant contributions over the past four years. "You can't really replace players like them," junior tri-captain Jon Glass said. "You just hope that the young guys have learned from them this year and incorporate what they've learned into our game next season." "It's goings to be a big adjustment not playing anymore," Guigli said. "I'm going to miss being out there. I don't think it will really set in until the team starts training again for next season. Once I see them out there next semester is when I'll really miss it." "I started playing when I was five but also played all sports when I was a kid," Gilbert said "In eighth grade I was forced to choose between traveling baseball and soccer. That decision pretty much made me a soccer player for life." Growing up in North Stonington, Conn., Guigli played with the Oakwood Football Club beginning at the age of nine. He alternated between club seasons with Oakwood and school teams for the next ten years, often traveling an hour to practices. Despite this high level of commitment, adjusting to the college game came as a challenge when the then-145 pound Guigli came to Tufts in the fall of 2002. "I was getting recruited by a few Division I schools, but Tufts had the best academics so I came here," Guigli said, without a second thought. "College [soccer] was totally different than high school. It was much faster and much more physical. When I came in I was tiny; I got knocked around a lot." Gilbert, who grew up in Chicago and attended a very small high school, prepared for the speed and strength of the college game with his highly-competitive AYSO club team. "My club at home was always a high level and we played against other good club teams in the area and across the country," Gilbert said. "Because of that, I knew the level of play I would see in college. The difference between high school soccer and college was immense, but club separated the good from the bad at an early age." Both players rose through the ranks of Tufts soccer over the next four years. Their individual progressions differed in many respects, but each contributed more than his fair share to the Jumbo cause. Gilbert started off with a bang his rookie season, scoring six goals and recording one assist as a forward. Guigli, on the other hand, did not find the back of the net as a freshman, but tallied three assists while starting 14 out of the Jumbos' 15 games in the midfield. As sophomores, Guigli and Gilbert again contributed with each player netting two goals. With their upperclassman status came more responsibility and more production for both players in 2004. The two combined for nine of the team's 25 total goals that fall with Gilbert scoring a team-leading five goals and Guigli trailing close behind with four goals of his own. Gilbert was named to the All-NESCAC Academic team that season, as well. Guigli broke out this fall for the best performance of his four years as a Jumbo. With the four goals and four assists that brought his career totals to 10 in each category, the tri-captain illustrated his growth as a player and as a leader over the course of his Tufts career. "I'm not the most outspoken person or the inspirational speaker on the team," Guigli said. "I saw myself as more of a leader on the field, leading the players by example." "Guigli is more of the silent leader," Glass confirmed. "He's the best player on our team and when the time is running down, he's the guy who we want the ball to be at his feet. He works as hard as he can, and when people see him working his butt off they do the same. His shot is tops in the NESCAC; he's a sniper out there." Gilbert's senior statistics dropped off this year, but he still managed to effectively lead the Jumbos through the bonds he forged with his teammates. His 13 goals and 10 assists over four seasons totaled 40 points. "The toughest part about being a captain was that I'm such good friends with everyone on the team," Gilbert noted. "To try and separate yourself even a little bit, as a captain should do in the position of leadership, was a challenge. But I feel I had the respect of all my teammates. That meant a lot to me and made it easy to go out there and lead." "I'm kind of like the harsh captain while Todd is the nice one that people can confide in," Glass said. "He is one of those guys who everyone can go to; he has that charisma as a leader." With their collegiate soccer careers now completely played out, Gilbert and Guigli look forward to their futures after Tufts and to pursuing their other interests. Guigli, an economics major, and Gilbert, a history major focusing on contemporary Europe, will walk with the rest of the Class of 2006 in May. As for any concrete post-graduation plans, both seniors remain undecided for now. "I'm not sure what kind of job I'm looking for yet," Guigli said. "My major didn't help me narrow any job searches down, but I'm working through some contacts right now." Gilbert takes an idealistic look towards his future. "Most likely I'm going to win to the lottery, move to a secluded island and live happily ever after with native island girls," he said, only half joking. When asked about their interests off the playing field, Guigli mentioned snowboarding and tennis while Gilbert, after thinking for a few seconds and making a reference to the movie King Pin, revealed his secret pastimes. "Outside of soccer, I watch soccer on TV, I play FIFA 2006, and what else do I do? Wow, I don't really do anything else," Gilbert said, pausing briefly. "I like crossword puzzles, although I'm not very good at them, but I am better than Ben Castellot." Both players cite their fathers as having influenced them growing up and throughout their soccer careers. Guigli's dad, who the Tufts senior calls his "biggest fan," missed just a handful of his son's college games traveling regularly to watch the Jumbos. As for other inspirational people in their lives, Guigli points to Italian soccer star Roberto Baggio, and Gilbert looks up to Chicago Bears legend Walter Payton. "Everyone in Chicago loves Walter Payton," Gilbert said. "He was such a classy person and one of the greatest athletes of all time. He was a wonderful father and human being." Though their time spent in Tufts uniforms may be over, Guigli and Gilbert will be remembered by their younger teammates for their contributions both on and off the field as players, captains and friends. "Toddy and Guigli are my two best friends by far," Glass said. "I live with Guigli so I'm going to miss him as a roommate and a friend. He's one of the main reasons I came to this school. And when I was going through some problems freshman year, Todd was the guy who helped me decide to stay here. They are two irreplaceable guys both on and off the field. They are going to be missed."
