Timeout with … Sean Ryan, senior, Archbishop Murphy soccer
Published 12:01 am Tuesday, April 19, 2011
It’s difficult to pin down Sean Ryan. Is he a forward? Midfielder? Defender?
Ryan, who possesses varied skills and a positive attitude, can play almost anywhere on the field. He was listed as a center midfielder on Archbishop Murphy High School’s boys soccer roster when the season began, but Ryan regularly alternates between playing midfielder and forward. And last season, when a teammate was injured, Ryan became a sweeper — a crucial defensive position — for the second half of the season.
“It’s kind of interchangeable,” Ryan, a captain and third-year varsity starter for the Wildcats, said of his multi-faceted contributions. “It just depends on what we need that day.”
Along with teammate Alexis Magana, Ryan is one of several Archbishop Murphy players who often shift to different positions.
“That’s one nice thing about this year: We’ve got a lot of versatility,” said Ryan, whose team is 9-1 (8-1 in Cascade Conference action).
Coach’s corner
Ryan, who has 12 goals and nine assists this season, “brings a lot of leadership to the team. Players like him and respect him, and he’s happy to take that (captain) role,” Archbishop Murphy coach Eddie Fernandez said.
The power of experience
A fixture in Murphy’s varsity lineup for three seasons, Ryan played in the Class 2A state semifinals versus Squalicum his sophomore year. He assisted on a goal that tied the score late in the second half. Murphy ultimately lost, but the experience boosted Ryan’s confidence and set the stage for him to become a leader. “It’s kind of cliché, but experience does matter,” Ryan said.
Seeking revenge
Murphy’s only loss this season was a 3-2 setback versus King’s April 5 in Shoreline. Said Ryan: “We made some mistakes as a team and they capitalized on it. That’s probably one that we should have had, but we let go.” The rematch is April 25 in Everett.
Family tradition
Sean Ryan’s brothers, Justin Ryan and Kyle Ryan, both played soccer for Archbishop Murphy. Justin, who graduated from Murphy in 2006, was on the Wildcats’ 2003 1A state championship team and played in the 2A title game in ’06. “I just admire his work rate,” Sean said of Justin, “and I’m trying to repeat that right now. I wouldn’t mind playing in a state championship game like him.”
His stage debut
Trying his hand at acting for the first time, Sean Ryan played a small role in a recent school play called “The Mystery of Edwin Drood,” a murder mystery by Charles Dickens. Ryan played a chef who had three lines, including a humorous, show-stealing line (“The goose is cooked!”) that broke the tension during a dinner scene. “It was fun,” Ryan said. “It was definitely a different experience that I wasn’t ready for, but I had a good time.”
Helping out
Every Archbishop Murphy High senior must complete 35 hours of community service. Ryan fulfilled the requirement by refereeing flag football and basketball at the Everett Boys & Girls Club. “I was kind of nervous,” said Ryan, but “the kids were great. They’re just there to have fun, and the parents enjoyed it. I just kind of enjoyed helping out and in the end I’m glad I did it.”
Planning for the future
Ryan is undecided about his college plans. He might play soccer for the University of Puget Sound or head to Washington State University. Either way, he plans to study communications and wants to become a TV sports broadcaster.
Epic road trip
This past summer Ryan took a 2,000-mile road trip with his family. All six of them — Ryan, his two brothers, his sister and his parents — crammed into a suburban and explored the Midwest. Highlights included a stop at Mount Rushmore on the Fourth of July and a day in Yellowstone National Park, Ryan said. Everyone got along … for the most part. “It was fun,” Ryan said, “but there were (tense) moments where you just wanted to punch somebody.”
Mike Cane, Herald Writer
