Skills that embody a star soccer player include composure, leadership, the ability to follow instructions and knack for a big moment. Tyler Dickson, a graduate student from Lanoka Harbor, New Jersey, displayed all of these traits and more throughout the 2018 fall season and is the Cigar Sports MVP of the University of Rhode Island Men’s soccer team.
Under Head Coach Gareth Elliott, the Rams made it back to the NCAA tournament for the first time since 2006, capturing an Atlantic 10 tournament championship in the process. Dickson played in all 20 games in the season at center back for Rhody, as he was vital in the nine shutouts the team posted during the season.
The graduate student won numerous accolades for his performances during the season. His play in the regular season earned him a spot on the Atlantic 10 All-Conference Second Team. Not only was he named on the All-Tournament Team, but he was also recognized as the Most Outstanding Player for the tournament as a whole.
While his defensive prowess was worthy of praise in its own right, it was his goal-scoring ability as a center back that set him apart. He scored six goals on the season, with three of them being game-winning goals.
With the rams making their first NCAA tournament appearance in 12 years, the team did everything they could to get past UConn in the opening round. After going down 1-0, Dickson memorably scored two goals in two minutes off corner kicks to give Rhody the lead.
Unfortunately for URI, they would go onto lose the match 4-3 in overtime.
Dickson played an instrumental part in the most successful season in a decade for the Rams, and he is the men’s soccer team’s fall MVP.