Alex Yu
During the final men’s soccer game of the season against CalTech Oct. 31, centerback Alex Yu (senior) scored Occidental’s only goal of the game. In a preseason poll, Occidental men’s soccer was ranked 1st in SCIAC, but ended the season 5-6-6 and fell short of making the SCIAC tournament.
Yu said even after the team’s elimination, he was still content with the outcome of the season.
“Looking back after a few days, it’s definitely more bittersweet that I got to score in my last college game,” Yu said. “I recall the moment that I scored, and that feeling of joy is definitely still very present.”
Yu said even as a defender, he was able to get into the opposing box and score during a set piece play.
“My coach told me that every other defender in the SCIAC had probably had a header goal off a set piece by this point in the season,” Yu said. “It’s a little comical that I took until the last game of the season to do it, but I’m just happy.”
According to Yu, he had not played consistently for the past three years because he was dealing with injuries.
“I wanted to have a season of availability and be able to play every game,” Yu said. “I was super happy that I was able to do that.”
Yu said he has been playing soccer since he was 4 years old.
“I just fell in love with the competition side [of soccer and] trying to win, even when [I’m] playing pick-up with my friends,” Yu said. “It was something that was really addictive about playing.”
Elijah Edelman (senior) said he was proud to assist Yu on his goal, because Yu had not scored since transferring to Occidental for his junior year.
“I played the corner and I didn’t really know who the ball was going to, and then I saw Alex get close to the ball,” Edelman said. “I was like, ‘No way?’ And then he scored!”
Edelman said Yu is a great teammate because he is personable and reliable.
“Yu is really consistent in the work that he wants to get done,” Edelman said. “On the field, in practices, in games, I always know what I’m going to get out of him.”
Soccer assistant coach Brian Wright said he appreciated how Yu understands the competitive environment.
“People have to work for their positions and work for their minutes, and [Yu] is really hard-working and pays attention to the details,” Wright said.
According to Wright, Yu’s performance during the game against Caltech represents the kind of teammate he has been throughout the season.
“It’s a testimony to the type of person Yu is [that] we needed a goal and he rose to the occasion to make that happen,” Wright said.
Beyond their time on the field, Edelman said his friendship with Yu is built on genuine conversations and a shared sense of humor.
“As a friend, Yu is always a really good listener,” Edelman said. “He asks questions that make me feel like he cares about me, and we laugh together a lot.”
Missy LeClaire
Women’s cross country runner Missy LeClaire (junior) placed 21st at the SCIAC Championships, hosted by Pomona-Pitzer Oct. 30. At the tournament, LeClaire was the second fastest Occidental runner, and she has consistently been a top performer for the team this season.
LeClaire said she focuses on racing smartly and maturely.
“I wanted to pass as many people as possible, but also I wanted to be able to time the race right in terms of push when I’m supposed to push,” LeClaire said. “Finally, as a junior, I feel like I’ve nailed it in terms of, ‘Okay, this is my race plan.’”
LeClaire said she discovered her love for running by focusing on effort instead of results.
“I completely detached from my times last track season, because I needed to find the joy in running,” LeClaire said. “I wanted to go back to the running that I fell in love with as a kid and not turn it into something that caused me anxiety.”
LeClaire said she values her teammates, and looked up to many of the recent cross country graduates.
“We had a lot of seniors who graduated last year, and they really showed me what it means to be a Tiger,” LeClaire said. “They’re my biggest role models.”
Cross country head coach Rob Bartlett said LeClaire carries a positive attitude at all times.
“LeClaire finds joy in the things that she’s doing and approaches life with a sense of gratitude,” Bartlett said. “She approaches her running the same way.”
Bartlett said LeClaire is having a great season because she’s been able to work her way through periods when things haven’t gone her way.
“This season’s a reward for the hard work that LeClaire has been putting in for three years, but also for her resiliency and commitment to keep going,” Bartlett said.
According to Bartlett, LeClaire’s success extends beyond her athletic abilities.
“[LeClaire] is such a happy, optimistic person and she’s fun to coach,” Bartlett said. “It’s fun to watch someone succeeding and improving, but also at the same time having fun with the sport.”
Anne Madole (junior) said she admired LeClaire’s effort during the SCIAC Championship.
“The season has been especially good for LeClaire,” Madole said. “Everything leading up to SCIAC was a reinforcer of all of the hard work she’s put in.”
According to Madole, LeClaire leads by example.
“LeClaire sets goals for herself,” Madole said. “We all go around and say the goals that we have for the race, and she goes in depth, and it’s very motivational to the rest of the team.”
Madole said LeClaire inspires other runners on the team.
“LeClaire sets a good example, especially during workouts,” Madole said. “A lot of the underclassmen really look up to her, [and] so do I.”
Contact Olivia Adams at oadams@oxy.edu
