MORGANTOWN, W.Va. — Rarely does an underclassman make a splash on a Class AAA team like University High. Tim Bailey, though, is a rarity.
In his sophomore year, Bailey played 18 games and held opponents to just 11 goals. Not impressive enough? His save total rested at 42, meaning he saved exactly 80 percent of his opponents’ shots. With Bailey in front of the net, the Hawks shut out nine teams, while winning 16 games and losing one. The Hawks ended their season with a 21-1-1 overall record, sweeping the regular season to coast to the playoffs — where they got their first loss in a 2-1 defeat in the state tournament semifinals against the eventual title winner George Washington.
But the numbers don’t matter to Bailey. He’s focused on how to rebound from that loss and how to lead the Hawks back to the state tournament.
Now heading into his junior year, Bailey is on track to setting better numbers and possibly garnering the boys’ soccer Gatorade Player of the Year Award in 2020 — an achievement the Hawks boast with multiple winners since the award’s conception.
“Last year turned out to be a really good season,” Bailey said. “We had really good teamwork throughout the year and the team built everything up together. We never focused on how well we won, but how well we played.”
Bailey’s biggest wave is resounding with first year coach Michael Smith. Coming from coaching the junior varsity squad and the assistant coach role last year, Smith sees the potential Bailey has.
“Last year was the first year I got to work with him,” Smith said. “He’s a very talented goalkeeper. The biggest change from last year to this year, during the summer, is the new leadership role he’s taken. He’s definitely matured as a young man, and I think he’s poised to have a big year.”
Though one may look at Bailey’s youth, it’s imperative to take into account that none of this is truly new to him. Since the age of 4, Bailey has been playing in different facets. His parents introduced him to the sport, and since then he’s logged six years of travel ball with Pro Performance’s team Fury or played recreation ball with his friends.
With his deep roots, it’s clear to see he “gets it”, and wants to transfer his knowledge to the rest of the team. And for a young player, his outlook is quite nuanced.
“It’s not about being younger or older, it’s about your work ethic. If you want to be the leader of the team, then you’re going to show it,” Bailey said. “You’re going to have to take that ownership and [go further]. You’re going to have to show up 30 minutes early, pump balls up, help set cones or take people to or from practice with rides. It’s a constant [set of things] to be a team a captain.”
And he’s not just blowing smoke — Smith sees that work ethic first hand.
“He’s very vocal and willing to help out his teammates,” Smith said. “He’s the first one there working with the freshmen goalkeepers, and he’s the one picking up the slack and always willing to do a little extra. It’s been really impressive.”
Even though he knows he’s in a leadership role, Bailey stresses to his teammates that success isn’t based upon one person’s abilities or talent. He sees the bigger picture that some high schoolers don’t, and it boils down to how the team works as a unit.
“If everyone practices hard, anyone can be a team captain,” he said. “I’ve pushed that hard with everyone. It doesn’t always have to be about that one person who dishes out the pass to make the game-winning goal. It’s about everyone who worked together to get to that point.
“We’ll go to team dinners, do ice baths together and [more]. It’s a serious point everyone needs to have with the team.”
Heading into the season, Smith sees the team under Bailey’s leadership as nothing but bound for success. There are things to work on, but he believes the team can perform well. After losing 16 seniors, one key point Smith will hammer out throughout the year is changing the team’s approach to how it “does their business.”
“We’re going to have more of a team oriented effort. We lost Division I talent … one guy that will probably be Division I somewhere moved away,” he said. “We’re going to have to work a little harder, but with that said, there’s still a lot of talent here. It’s going to take a little more focus this year, though. I’m cautiously optimistic of what we have on the table.
“I’m just getting anxious and want to get started with the season. We have a good group and I’m happy to be where I’m at right now.”
