NEW HAVEN, Conn. –
Kylie Stannard, 5K Corral Head Coach, has announced that rising senior
TJ Presthus has been elected captain of the Yale men's soccer team for the 2024 season.
"Since he first stepped on campus, TJ has been a staple in the program and as consistent of a high performer on the field as one can be," said Stannard. "He has very high standards for himself and others, and has already had to take on many leadership roles and responsibilities on and off the field that has helped prepare him to be an even stronger leader in his final year."
Presthus has been an impact player for the Bulldogs since his first year in 2021, starting all 52 games in that time span. As a first year, Presthus was named as an honorable mention All-Ivy League selection. He followed up with a strong sophomore season, landing on the conference second team.
In 2023, Presthus elevated his play even more, becoming one of the best defenders in the nation. He was a unanimous first team All-Ivy League pick and won Ivy League Defensive Player of the Year, helping the Bulldogs capture the inaugural conference tournament championship. As an anchor on the defensive end, Presthus was a major factor in the first round of the NCAA Tournament, as the Bulldogs shut out Bryant to win their first NCAA contest since 1999.
Additionally, Presthus was named to the United Soccer Coaches All-Region Second Team and was named to the CSC Academic All-District team.
"I am extremely humbled to be elected as captain for next season," Presthus said. "It is a very special honor at Yale and I am very appreciative of my teammates for trusting me in this role. I may be the 'captain', but we have plenty of fantastic leaders on the team that I will lean on for help as we try to build on last season's success."
Stannard echoed Presthus' sentiment that the leadership responsibility will fall on more than just the captain of the team.
"As always, we have many fantastic young men and leaders within our program that will play equally important leadership roles in supporting the entire team and working together with TJ and the entire coaching staff to continue raising the bar for the program," Stannard said.
The Bulldogs will attempt to replicate and build on the success of 2023 with a new, experienced leader at the helm.
