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Tennyson returns home, joins staff

FAIRMONT — Tuesday night was the Fairmont Area Cardinals boys soccer team’s home opener at Kot Soccer Complex.

Just before the varsity game, Matt Tennyson could be found running drills with goalie Tyson Geerdes in preparation for the match. During the game, Tennyson stood on the sideline, calling out instructions, corrections and encouragement to the red-and-white team.

It wasn’t too long ago that Tennyson was on the other side of the match as the Cardinals’ goalie. Now, having graduated from Buena Vista University, Tennyson has joined Fairmont Area’s coaching staff as the C squad and goalies coach.

The former Cardinal and Beaver goalie moved back to the area after getting a position as a fifth-grade teacher in Granada. After that, Cardinals boys soccer head coach Brady Meyer reached out to Tennyson.

“He (Meyer) and I had a one-on-one conversation. I kind of knew what he was thinking about and I said, ‘Yes, I absolutely want to help coach,’ because this is something I have a true passion for,” Tennyson said. “I want to thank Granada for giving me that opportunity to come to Fairmont and coach. It’s really the best of both worlds being able to teach at Granada and then coach here, giving back to this program that’s given me so much.”

During his time at Fairmont High School, Tennyson was a four-year varsity goalie under then-head coach Jeff Kot. He made the all-conference soccer team during his junior and senior years before heading to Buena Vista University.

Tennyson started nine of 10 games played during his freshman year at Storm Lake, Iowa, and made 28 saves on the season. After four seasons, Tennyson totaled 137 career saves over 38 games, which included 68 saves in nearly 930 minutes for a 2.53 goals against average as a senior.

Off the field, Tennyson said he maintains a good relationship with the coaches at Buena Vista.

“I was always in their (coaches) office just talking to them about classes, school, life and obviously about soccer. I think that education and wanting to learn helped me be where I’m at today,” he said. “We just have a really good relationship, and I think it’s going to continue, too, just because I was willing to go talk to them and they were willing to leave their door open and talk to us.”

Since Tennyson has been back, he’s noticed changes to the soccer program and its progression since his days as a Cardinal.

“My senior year was the first year they had lights,” he said, “and now they’ve got the scoreboard, the bleachers, Gemini’s out here all the time, too, so it’s really awesome to see that this program continues to put a lot of time and money into the soccer program.”

There have also been two coaching changes since his playing days. Meyer was on the coaching staff during Tennyson’s prep career and is now at the helm of the boys soccer program. Tennyson said that he, Meyer and assistant coach Chris Johnston work well together.

“Brady brings the experience and Chris does a really good job of developing the players, I kind of have the tactics. So, we all kind of work together in that aspect,” Tennyson said. “We’re always bouncing ideas off each other.”

Tennyson’s position is also unique in that he can help with goalies, something that Tennyson didn’t have when he was in the net as a high schooler.

“I never had the opportunity to have a goalie coach or someone that would be willing to take the time and sit with these guys for 45 minutes after practice,” he said. “We never had that, (I take pride in) being the bridge for that and developing those skills.

“I think that is something that, starting now, will really help the program move forward.”

Not only does being a former college soccer player help Tennyson, but his age also is an advantage. At 22, Tennyson is closer in age to players, which helps with relatability.

“It’s kind of the same thing as a teacher, too, you really have to be able to relate to the kids you’re working with, so I think that age difference has really benefitted us as a program. I’m able to talk to them about different things that they might not feel comfortable talking about with Brady and Chris,” Tennyson said. “It’s more than just soccer, so you’ve got to be able to dig into what they’re interested in and be able to communicate with them at that level.”

With the season beginning, Tennyson already has three matches under his coaching belt and plenty more to go.

His passion for soccer has brought him full circle from playing on the field to coaching on the sidelines.

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