Last season as the Pioneers’ goalie, Isaiah Tyree ’15 led NCAA Division III schools with a .959 save percentage and a .218 goals against average. Tyree’s save percentage is not only a D-III record, but ranks second among all divisions. Last Thursday, the NCAA recognized Tyree’s performance by awarding him two plaques for these respective records.

How did it feel to win the NCAA award for goalkeeping?

We kind of knew halfway through the season that I was up there for it and then we kept going and by the end of this season, I was told about the awards that I had won. It was really interesting, especially at a school like Grinnell, for us to get awards like that on a national level. So that’s really awesome, I think, for our program as a whole.

What do you like about being a goalie?

Well, I think part of the fun of being a goalie is when you do well and are good at your position, everyone kind of is relying on you. And so many people call it the toughest position because people are also easiest to get down on you at the same time. I think just the pressure and the ability to rise and do things that aren’t expected sometimes.

When did you start playing soccer?

I played as a little kid and then I took a little break and I started playing goalie actually when I was a freshman in high school.

Were you always good?

I was fast and for little kid soccer that helps. I played hockey for a long time, so I guess for my town at least those two sports … the same athletes kind of played them, the same group of people. I think I definitely grew into my abilities as a goalie as I got older.

Do you think that you will play soccer after college?

Possibly recreationally. I’ve looked into a couple other options but I’m not sure what I’ll do or whether I’ll move into another profession.

If you could be any animal, what would you be?

I would be a hippo, because they are the coolest animals around. No one messes with them.

— Compiled by Nora Coghlan ’17