David Niepel makes a save during UT's 1-0 loss against Barry. The goaltender made a pair of saves in the match but allowed the winning score 20 minutes into the game. Photo by Samantha Battersby/The Minaret
Leadership is vital on every team. A leader can bring a team together and push them to achieve more than they believed they could. A leader keeps the team focused and recognizes when morale is low.
Some lead by force, yelling their words into the heads of fellow players. Others lead by example, showing up to practice earlier and staying later than the rest.
“Yes, I see myself as a leader,” said Spartan’s goalkeeper David Niepel. “In order to keep the team together, I keep them positive and motivated. I lead through my actions, not through my words. I lead through example.”
Niepel, a 6’2” junior playing in his third year with the Spartans, was recruited by the University of Tampa from his hometown in Hamburg, Germany.
“I went through an advisor in Germany. He had me fill out lots of applications,” said Niepel. “I considered going to Dayton, Ohio and California State. I ended up choosing UT because of the academics and environment.”
Niepel, an international business and management major, would like to, if possible, return to Germany after he graduates. “If I don’t get an opportunity to play soccer professionally, I would like to return home for work,” said Niepel. “ I guess I’ll just have to see where everything takes me.”
At the age of four Niepel chose to play goalie over all other positions, and while he can’t remember why he chose goalie, he stands by his decision all those years ago. “ I can’t remember exactly what made me pick goalie over the other positions, probably because I wanted to play uninterrupted in the mud,” Niepel said with a smile. “I realize now it’s the most exciting position and it comes with great responsibility.”
The men’s soccer team finished last season with a disappointing 3-10-2 record but has begun this season at 4-2-1 and have already gained national recognition for their positive play.
“This year we are able to stay focused late in games,” said Niepel. “We finish games strong instead of giving up late goals.”
Head Coach Adrian Bush reiterated Niepels comments. “We had something like nine overtime games in our last 17 matches. We could have been 10-3-2 last season. We just couldn’t win the close games.”
In spite of the way last season unfolded, Niepel decided to step into a bigger leadership role and lead his team through example. “I’ve been on this new diet, the Paleo diet,” said Niepel. “No wheat, no grains. Just vegetables, meat and fruit. I’ve lost 8 percent body fat.”
While he admits the diet can be difficult at times, the results he is seeing have improved his game mightily. “It can be tough to stick with the diet, especially when I walk by the pastries in the cafeteria,” Niepel said as he giggled. “But I feel better, I recover after games quicker and my training has been more efficient.”
The team as a whole has been training harder and has refocused their work ethic. “We have a hard working mentality. We never give up,” said Niepel. “We play every minute of the game as hard as we can and we finish every game strong.”
As a result, the team is winning games and the chemistry between the players is higher than last year.
“Last game, next game,” said Neipel with a serious face. “I always say that because the next game is the most important.”
When he was younger, Niepel was given advice that he still remembers and tries to pass on to his teammates. “Work harder than others and you will get what you want,” said Niepel. “That’s what I try to do and what I want our team to do.”
The Spartan men next play Sunshine State Conference rivals Rollins College at Pepin Stadium September 29.
Nathan Krohn can be reached at nathan.krohn@spartans.ut.edu
