Kyrkostas takes on new soccer challenge as well as hockey

By Matthew E. Harlow
Norwich Guidon Staff Writer

Timmy Kyrkostas is taking a little break from hockey to play soccer for Coach Bob Friske, and the team and is attempting to break old school records.

"I decided to play soccer so that I can help my hockey game, and there are a lot of benefits a player can get from playing two sports," said Timmy Kyrkostas, 23, a communications major from Hicksville, NY.

There were some who weren't too sure how a 210 lb man who hasn't played soccer in seven years would do.

"I didn't know how good of a player he would be when I first saw him because of his size and history of just playing hockey," said Casey Grimes, 22, a business major from Rutland, Vt.

Kyrkostas said that playing with the Norwich hockey team has taught him to be more competitive and work harder for the win and is glad that he can bring that every day to the soccer team.

"I was surprised when I came to the soccer team on how they where all on the same page and are striving for a long term goal much like the hockey team, and that's to be number one in our division," Kyrkostas said.

Kyrkostas, who is striking up front for the team, is having a phenomenal season so far, with nine goals, 12 assists and 30 points total, with three of the goals being game winners.

"He has good instincts on how to play the game with our offense and defense up front, and that's one of the best things about him; he understands how to get himself free to have a shot on the goal," said Men's Soccer Head Coach Bob Friske.

"He works hard and has a good intellect for the game of soccer and is able to come in and be one of the key players on the team," Friske said.

With Kyrkostas playing two sports: soccer, then hockey later in the year, he can only improve on and off the field.

"He has the numbers to be an All American with what he has done in hockey and what he is starting to do in soccer, and I'm hoping he can continue the pace," Friske said.

Kyrkostas has 10 more games to go in the regular season and is going to continue to work hard and see what he can do for the team for the rest of the season.

"It doesn't matter what I can accomplish independently out there on the soccer field for numbers; I just want what is best for the team, and that is to win," Kyrkostas said.

Back to Guidon index