Athlete spotlight: Tim Koehn

Whether he is falling from an airplane at over 120 mph or diving in front of a soccer ball to defend the goal, Tim Koehn likes the mentality of putting himself in danger and living on the edge.

Koehn, a senior liberal arts major from Harrisonburg, Va., has been the starting goalkeeper for the EMU men's soccer team all four years of his career.

While receiving the award for ODAC Men's Soccer Player of the Week last week, Koehn recorded three shutouts in a row to help the team reach an overall record of 4-1. He also surpassed the 4,000-minute mark in goal.

The goalkeeper is one of the most important positions in soccer, and he has a lot of pressure riding on his performance. Many athletes would never ask to be the goalkeeper because they don't want the pressure. Koehn has been a goalie for his entire soccer career and he can attribute his aggressive playing to this. "My coach told me I was too violent and full of energy and aggression to play on the field, so he put me in goal, figuring I could use all of my aggression in a positive way," stated Koehn. He added that "a few times on my traveling squad I played on the field and got a few yellow cards, so I knew my place was in the goal."

Koehn credits the team's chemistry and "heart towards each other" as one of the main reasons they have been successful this season. "Everyone has faith in each other and we stick together throughout the whole game," said Koehn.

Koehn's mentality of living on the edge and laying himself out in front of the goal has helped lead the team this year, and he has set his sights high. "This is my senior year and I plan to leave everything out on the field this season."

Keeping in line with his adventurous side, Koehn found another leisure interest that satisfied his craving for adventure this summer: skydiving. "I get the same rush as soon as I jump out of the plane as when I lay out to catch an opponent's shot."

However, for the rest of the season Koehn plans to store away his parachute and lace up his cleats.