Syracuse men’s soccer: Orange goalie Tomas Hut discusses his rise to become the #1 option in net

The goalkeeper has been a critical piece in the SU side this season, but how did he get here, and how does he feel about the season so far?

The Syracuse Orange men’s soccer team has endured a trying season this year. With heavy squad turnover, a difficult schedule, and a few unlucky moments, both coaches and players have ceded that things haven’t been perfect.

But in every difficult moment, there are upsides you can take away. One bright spot for the team this year has been the emergence and performance of senior goalkeeper and captain Tomas Hut.

So far for the Orange this year, Hut has started each game, only failing to register minutes in the second half against Canisius when the Orange were already up 3-0. Hut has made 17 saves and conceded seven goals while registering a strong 71% save percentage and two clean sheets.

Furthermore, Hut brings intangible elements to the game such as his vocal leadership from the back line, and the few critical, game-saving stops he has pulled off this year.

Hut explained that over this offseason, he looked to up his game “in all departments. I wanted to take the next step, make sure I was doing more than the guy next to me.” He added that “whether it’s an extra run at night or waking up early to lift at 5am, something like that. I wanted to do the extra work.”

For Head Coach Ian McIntyre, Hut’s work paid off.

“He’s coming off a good summer, he had a really great training camp for preseason” the Cuse Head Coach explained. “He stepped up on the pitch, and even more so off the pitch as well. He deserves the captaincy. I’m very proud of him.”

Hut described his teammates awarding him the captaincy “an honor” but was quick to note that “everyone is a captain in their own sense.” From Hut’s position last season, it would have been easy to throw in the towel. The then Junior transferred to SU from Army, but did not receive a single minute during the 2023 campaign.

“I was ready for the adversity and having to wait for the opportunity” Hut explained. “It was just all about getting my opportunity, capitalizing, and now I get the chance to keep playing. Its been rewarding for sure.”

Coach McIntyre described Hut as a vocal leader on and off the field. On a matchday, you can hear him barking orders throughout the 90 minutes. McIntyre added that its not just “how you can perform and manage between the white lines, he’s been able to help others around him become better.”

“[Being a vocal leader] is the standard for all goalies, I feel,” said Hut. “Just organizing everybody makes the game a lot easier.”

After the initial conversation, Hut discussed some of his and the team’s defining moments of the season from his perspective.

Lone save against Niagara on August 25 (3-0 Win)

“It was a hit for sure. The kid had a great lineup toward it off the half volley, and he hit it, curling away from me. Thankfully, I set early, and got a hand to it, and then got ready for the corner.”

“I didn’t have to do much that day, but was glad to make that one count.”

Facing a penalty against Le Moyne on September 2 (1-0 Loss)

“It’s always a tough situation, you know. All the pressure is on them, though. The percentage of times that [goalkeepers] make the save is way lower.”

“It was a disappointing day, but we move.”

Brilliant pair of late saves at Boston College on September 6 (1-1 Draw)

“I mean, it felt really good. ACC opener away at BC, it’s a tough place to play. And in the last minutes of the game, I mean, just to save that point and be able to deflect the shot and take that point away. That will help us later in the season, for sure, definitely.”

“I honestly thought I was done on the first one but got good contact on it.”

Hut makes great kick save before Louisville scores late equalizer in Kentucky on September 20 (1-1 Draw)

“That was pure reaction, really what I train all year for. Got the foot to it, luckily.”

“I mean, it was great positioning for them; ultimately, he lines up and hits inside netting. So I mean, disappointing, or us going 89 minutes playing super well as a team. It was definitely one of our best games, but last minute, ultimately pulling out with a point at a tough place away in Louisville.”

In the end, Hut believes that this team’s best soccer is ahead of them. “We’ve just been taking it game by game,” said Hut. Everyone is fully committed, we’re all doing our own part, whether it’s a starting 11 or the rest of the guys, everyone has a big role.”

“We’re still getting better. I’m still getting better.”

For more updates on Hut’s debut season in Orange and all other things SU soccer, stay tuned.