Thompson Serves as Keeper, Leader for Spartans

"I came into this season telling myself that there is no room for mediocrity," Tampa goalkeeper Ryan Thompson said. "I wanted to make a statement." Over halfway through the 2008 season, Thompson has done just that, leading the Spartans to a 12-2-1 record and a number 10 national ranking.

Thompson's opponents have thrown, or more appropriately kicked, everything they have had at him this season, particularly in the past several contests, and Thompson has yet to falter. After producing back-to-back shutouts against Rollins and Palm Beach Atlantic, the Kingston, Jamaica native has collected an unprecedented 15 saves in two of his last four matchups en route to six consecutive Spartan victories. Thompson, in his junior season, has also claimed four Sunshine State Conference Defender of the Week awards.

"In my opinion, he's the best goalkeeper in the nation," Tampa coach Adrian Bush said. "If there's somebody better than him, I want to see it."

Despite his solid numbers, Thompson's 0.77 goals against average and seven shutouts are not his most commendable feature. His leadership and personality are the real driving force behind this current Tampa squad.

Since being voted captain during his freshman season, Thompson has yet to relinquish that role. Rather, he thrives in it.

"He's absolutely a leader on and off the field," Bush said of his number one goalkeeper. "I can't name too many other players in all my years of soccer that have been named captain, elected by their teammates, since their freshman year."

Bush recruited Thompson out of Jamaica where he was regarded as the number one goalkeeper for the national team for four years until he joined the Spartans. As the first athlete in his family, Thompson is also striving to be the first to earn a degree.

After just one visit to Tampa, Bush knew Thompson "would be a perfect fit for our program." He noted that "[Thompson] is an even better person than he is player. We're very fortunate to have a guy with his character on our team."

He continued, "At the same time though, he's a competitor. That's one of the reasons he's gotten this far."

Thompson also dedicated this past summer to the game of soccer.

While others might have used their summers to relax, Thompson refused to take a break. "I never stopped practicing," he said. Thompson, who trained and played with the IMG Academy in Bradenton this past summer alongside Diego Restrepo, starting goalkeeper for the Division-I University of South Florida Bulls, committed to improvement of himself for the betterment of the team.

"I don't ever play for myself," Thompson explained. "There is no limit to where a man can go or what he can do if he doesn't mind who gets the credit.

"Right now, as a team, we're not reaching our potential and we're still getting results. We have a very good team. If we play to our potential, it will be difficult to stop us. This is a great conference that will prepare us to play against anyone in the country."

The Spartans hope to continue their current success and make a run to the 2008 Final Four, held this year in Tampa at UT's Pepin Stadium.