Athlete of the week

If you ask Stuart Yingst, BK '03, about his fondest memories playing soccer at Yale, his reply will be automatic: "There's just something about playing under the lights in front of a big crowd on a Saturday night. You're in the spotlight battling people, challenging them, strategizing against the competition. That's the best part about playing soccer here." His enjoyment of playing in front of a crowd may only be surpassed by the crowd's enjoyment of watching him play. Yingst is both a dynamic scorer and a team player; like a soldier in action, he knows when to rely on his teammates and when to strike for them.

Stuart Yingst, BK '03 Men's Soccer Hometown: Grosse Point, Mich. Major: Political Science Favorite book: 1984 Favorite food: Steak Favorite TV show: The Simpsons Favorite Movie: The Usual Suspects Favorite sport to watch: College Football

Yingst has started in every game but two since his freshman year, even playing through a sprained MCL at the beginning of this season. He finished his rookie season as a member of the Honorable Mention All-Ivy team, and last year joined the first team. In his sophomore season, Yingst scored 14 points to lead the Bulldogs. He has made numerous all-tournament teams, including those at the Brown Invitational and Yale Fila Classic this season.

Yingst has already tallied three goals and one assist this season, but his most impressive goal was Sunday's game-winner against Dartmouth. Beating Dartmouth, a rough team that keeps the ball in the air and plays with a style that has always given the Bulldogs trouble, was particularly sweet for both Yingst and the rest of the Elis. Of his goal, he humbly said, "Bennett Clark, [SY '03], played a perfect ball across and as a result I just couldn't miss."

While the Dartmouth victory offered Yingst great satisfaction, three games have truly defined his Yale career. In his first two games as a Bulldog, he scored the game-winning goal against Georgetown and helped the Bulldogs roll past then top-ranked Indiana. Yingst also recalls the Bulldogs' overtime victory against Rutgers in the NCAA tournament at the end of his rookie season.

As such games testify, the men's soccer team consistently plays a tough schedule. Halfway through the 2001 season, the Bulldogs still must face second-ranked St. John's and defending national champion UConn. If Yingst is to achieve his goal of scoring more points than last year and leading the team to the NCAA tournament, he must do so against extremely tough competition, both in and out of the Ivy League.

Yingst first appeared on a soccer field at age five, and he hasn't looked back, qualifying for the regional Olympic Development Team and playing year-round on a club team that placed second at nationals. As he grew up in Michigan, his sports idol was Steve Yzerman, but Yingst credits his family, and especially his father, for providing the greatest influence on his life.

"My father has always been there for me and has molded me into the person that I am today," Ying said. "He challenged me to be independent in my thoughts and actions and also harnessed my athleticism with countless hours in the basement and backyard."

—Katie Cole

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