By Matt Weiner (@mattweiner20) – Spear Reporter
SJSU men’s soccer goalkeeper David Sweeney celebrating with friends and family following his senior day win. | Photo courtesy Janai Jesse of SJSU Athletics
SJSU men’s soccer goalkeeper David Sweeney has architected a home in the goal area that’s adorned with program records during his five years in Spartan garb. But on Sunday, Oct. 15, Sweeney found himself at midfield, strolling with his family for senior day.
A day he enjoyed for the shutout he helped secure, but one he’ll always cherish for the flood of family and friends who came to support him. Like the former youth soccer coach who belted out an “Olé, Olé, Olé” chant when the PA announcer introduced him.
After SJSU’s 1-0 win over Grand Canyon, Lisa Sweeney, David’s mom said, “What a feeling. My cheeks are hurting from so much smiling today.”
All of it helping write the final chapter of Sweeney’s storied career at SJSU. Yet, the story will feel incomplete if SJSU can’t avenge its loss in last year’s WAC Championship. “It was tough in the moment, but it just lit a fire under me,” Sweeney said.
As part of the team’s senior day ceremonies, Sweeney briefly departed from his family on the midline to hug SJSU men’s soccer head coach Simon Tobin. For it was Tobin who took a chance on Sweeney a half-decade ago.
At the time, Sweeney wasn’t even a full-time goalie on De Anza Force of the U.S. Development of Academy. But when Sweeney was on the field, Tobin was drawn toward his fearless demeanor, attitude and effort. David Sweeney’s father Steve said he just hoped Tobin would, “put some faith in David.”
That initial interest in Sweeney skyrocketed when Tobin saw him compete at a soccer recruiting camp. Not long after, he offered him an opportunity and Sweeney committed to SJSU in 2019.
Sweeney later became a starter that fall after fellow SJSU goalkeepers sustained injuries. Although there were some growing pains, Sweeney eventually improved and became the lone goalkeeper named to the 2019 WAC All-Freshman Team.
“The reason he’s out there making these big saves now is because he’s had so many games under his belt,” Tobin said. “For a division one goalkeeper as a freshman to start is very unusual at this level.”
Over the next couple of years, Sweeney continued to excel. During COVID-19, Lisa fondly remembers him waking up early to run sprints and speeding through an agility ladder he set up in the front yard.
The work helped him become a 2020-21 Honorable All-WAC selection. The diligence and the results illustrated Tobin made the right decision to offer the “faith” Sweeney and his family sought after.
When the 2022 season came around, Sweeney took his game to another level. But the image Sweeney hung on his locker to commemorate his stellar campaign has nothing to do with leading the conference in shutouts (eight) and save percentage (.771), nor is it being named to the All-WAC Second Team.
It’s a picture of Cal Baptist University celebrating its 2022 WAC Championship over SJSU after winning 3-1 in the shootouts. “So I see that every day, I want to beat ’em every day,” he said.
Before SJSU came up short, Sweeney was standing by the net visualizing the trophy in his hands. Something he did for months upon months to reach that moment. Only for that trophy to fade from his hands and back into his imagination.
Following the final play, Sweeney said he, “just sat down and then Charlie [Dyer], the other goalie came and picked me up and said ‘you can’t do anything about it.'”
Motivated by the soul-crushing defeat, Sweeney became determined to not watch CBU or any other team claim a WAC Championship. While on the Germany leg of a summer vacation to Europe, he was up at 2:00 a.m. in the gym. “He wasn’t going to let a vacation turn into relaxation time,” Lisa said.
The non-stop training paved the way for Sweeney to become SJSU men’s soccer’s all-time saves leader (269) and shutouts leader (20) this season. While Sweeney’s celebrated individual achievements, his WAC Championship aspirations might fall short.
SJSU men’s soccer (6-5-4), which was originally picked to finish second in the WAC, isn’t a playoff shoo-in. Largely a byproduct of the injuries to two of the Spartans best players in Beau Leroux and Kasper Poulsgaard. Though Tobin is hopeful Sunday’s 1-0 win over Grand Canyon assured SJSU a playoff spot, it’s still not a lock. The Spartans can solidify a spot next Saturday if they beat No. 20 Seattle.
Which is why Sweeney admits the emotions and memories of Sunday’s senior day won’t “sink in” until after the season. The pursuit of vengeance looms much too large.
Because, unlike last year, if the Spartans’ title hopes fall short, there’ll be no SJSU locker for him to tape a picture of this year’s WAC Champion on.