Tucker Monheimer: Lasting legacy

Monheimer leaves legacy of hard work, senior leadership LASTING IMPRESSION

Mark Berson has been the head coach of South Carolina men’s soccer team since the program’s inception more than 40 years ago. While there have been ups and downs, there has always been one constant: the culture of the program.

From this year’s squad, senior forward Tucker Monheimer was the epitome of that culture.

From overtime heroics, to never giving up on a play, to taking younger players under his wing, Monheimer encapsulated what it means to be a Gamecock and play for Berson. The forward from Louisville, Ky. was second for South Carolina (7-9-2) in points (11) and goals (five) and led the team in game-winning goals with three.

Monheimer, who spent his freshman season at Northern Kentucky, credits the guys he looked up to when he first arrived for his commitment to the culture. Berson saw Monheimer embrace the program’s culture and grow over the past three years, mostly through hard work.

“This is a guy that came in and had a lot to learn. Through his work ethic, and through how hard he’s worked on the field, he’s been able to really do well,” Berson said. “Each player that comes through our program leaves some type By Brandon Alter | Contributing writer • Photo by Allen Sharpe

of impression. And the lasting impression of what Tucker is is hard work.”

Monheimer’s effort paid off. He tied for third in Conference USA in game-winning goals, tied for 10th in goals scored and ranked 10th in shots per game. He scored two goals in a game against Furman.

“He’s making better decisions. He’s finishing balls with more accuracy,” Berson said in October. “He knows what we want to do on the field, he knows our system, and I think things are starting to click for him.”

Monheimer’s three gamewinners included two in overtime against Gardner-Webb and Mercer, home games that were played eight days apart.

“One of the things Tucker has always had is a good work ethic,” Berson said. “He doesn’t give up on any half chances or any partial opportunities. You can count on him to run down those types of things.

“In those overtime gamewinning goals, he was in the right place at the right time, because he didn’t give up on a half chance. He pushed to the end and then he was rewarded.”

“I’ve learned a lot the last few years. I’m just trying to implement that, playing the best I can,” Monheimer said in October. “[It’s the] last year I have, and I want to end on a good note.”

Along the way Monheimer developed a bond with freshman Brian Banahan, a fellow Kentuckian.

“We got that Kentucky chemistry,” Monheimer said. “Coming from the same place, we kind of connected off that. Then it played into the soccer field. We kind of know each other’s movements.”

“Right when we came here, we felt like there was chemistry already,” Banahan said. “It’s helped during the season. We play off each other really well.”

Banahan wasn’t the only player Monheimer connected with. He believes that as a senior it was his responsibility to show the younger guys on the team the way older players showed him.

“Culture is our biggest thing this year,” he said. “Setting a path for the rest of the guys coming in. As a senior, setting that culture is really important to me, let alone just playing well and stuff like that, but also the chemistry. Being able to play together, and win together, and lose together as a team. Just building that culture that is something to be proud of.”

“Tucker’s my dad,” joked Banahan from a few feet away.

Monheimer, like any senior, wants to leave a lasting legacy. But he doesn’t have to wait until he graduates to see the impact he had on the team. His presence has already left a mark.

“I definitely look up to him. Four years from now, I would like to see myself fill his shoes,” Banahan said. “I know those are big shoes to fill, but he’s a really good player, and everyone in the locker room looks up to him.”