Ryder Coleman has played a lot of games for Deerfield.
A four-year varsity starter, the senior forward can’t remember all of them — including his first.
“I just remember how weird it was being the smallest and youngest on the team,” Coleman said.
But Deerfield’s first-year coach, Ryan Crane, who was an assistant during the 2019 season, said Coleman actually made an immediate impact.
“His first match on varsity his freshman year, our team won on penalty kicks,” Crane said. “Ryder was handed the ball by his teammates. He buried it, and that cemented him as a focal point of the team and program.”
Coleman, who leads the Warriors (5-7-1) with 10 goals and eight assists this season, became a regular contributor while keeping his focus on soccer. He stopped playing basketball after middle school.
“To me, there’s nothing negative about playing just soccer,” Coleman said. “I’ve been staying consistent with it. I love playing the sport.”
The 6-foot, 160-pound Coleman said he got stronger during the coronavirus pandemic. He packed on 30 pounds to help him on set pieces and to better handle the general physicality of the sport. He credited his father for pushing him to hit the weight room.
“It’s made a huge difference in the way I play because I’m able to win the ball and play more of a physical style,” Coleman said.
Coleman also had to adjust to a bigger role this season. Crane said he talked extensively with Coleman about becoming a more vocal leader. He is one of five players named to the Warriors’ offseason leadership council.
“I knew that we would be leaning on Ryder a lot this year, and I wanted him to work on his leadership skills and communication with people in the program,” Crane said. “He’s thrived in that role, encouraging people to participate in our offseason and summer activities. Ryder bought into what I wanted to achieve for the program and has provided great feedback and suggestions of his own.”
After the Warriors started the season with three losses, Coleman’s experience and calming presence helped the younger players navigate the ups and downs.
Deerfield junior defender Carlos Pacheco, a first-year varsity player, called Coleman the quintessential leader.
“Right away, I knew he was an amazing player for a top-quality team,” Pacheco said. “His leadership is very great. I’ve learned a lot from him. Ryder has been helping me throughout the season, and I’ve learned so much from him, on offense and defense.”
Coleman said he hopes to finish the season strong to attract attention from college coaches.
“I’ve not made any decisions yet, but I’m starting to get into that process,” he said. “I’ve been contacting some coaches. I’m motivated to keep contacting coaches and finding the right opportunities to lead to a successful career.”
Crane said Coleman’s diverse skills make him an ideal player for college soccer.
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“In the past, Ryder has moved around into different positions as we’ve tried to find ways to get him on the ball,” Crane said. “He’s settled into a striker role this year and has shown off his great finishing skills.
“Ryder is an offensive talent that a collegiate program can build around. He can play in any formation in a few different positions and have great success. Off the field, Ryder is a strong student with great individual character.”
Coleman said he has grown as a player over four seasons.
“I’m proud of the progress I’ve made since my freshman year,” he said. “I’ve worked really hard to get to this point.”
Bobby Narang is a freelance reporter for the News-Sun.