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PROVO — The BYU men's soccer program, while not an NCAA-sanctioned sport by the university, has provided plenty for current and past players alike in launching pro careers and moving them on to other professions.
For senior goalkeeper Jake Petersen, he owes his life to it.
"I can't even put it into words. It's given me a life," Petersen said before the Cougars' final match at South Field at 7:30 p.m. Wednesday against Real Monarchs SLC. "Before I came to BYU, I didn't know what I was doing with my life.
"Through BYU soccer, I met my wife, I got an incredible education and I really owe my life to this program. I'll remember it for the rest of my life."
Head coach Chris Watkins and BYU team members that finished the PDL season 1-8-5 will honor Petersen and the departing seniors in a halftime ceremony during Wednesday night's home friendly against Real Salt Lake's USL affiliate. The list of honorees will include BYU assistant coach Chad Sackett, who is stepping down to focus on family responsibilities, as well as BYU's leading scorer and most consistent offensive player in 2015, Jace Green.
The senior getting set to graduate with a business degree in industry management also owes more than a potential pro career to BYU.
"I've met many of my best friends. We came to BYU when we probably shouldn't have, but we wanted to come, and it helped set a path for going on a mission, getting married and starting a family," said Green, who has four goals on the season. "I owe everything to BYU soccer."
After Wednesday's friendly, Green said he has a few tryouts lined up with semipro and pro clubs in the area. But if it doesn't work out, he said his life no longer revolves around soccer — most of that energy now goes toward his 18-month-old daughter.
"As of right now, I'll graduate in April and then focus on my family," he said. "Focusing on her is the most important."
Petersen, a nutritional science major who will take the MCAT exam next year, also has family responsibilities to attend — his wife was recently accepted into a local physician's assistant program — and his responsibilities at home have increased.
Passing on a potential pro career like the one held by former teammate and current Monarchs midfielder Garrett Losee would've seemed unbearable a few years ago, Petersen said.
"My career goals have changed over the past few years," said Petersen, who practiced a few times with RSL in his youth. "I was driven to get to that top level.
"But for me personally, my goals have changed since getting married. BYU soccer and the university have provided a way for me to continue to play soccer, but it also gave me a life — something more I can pursue and be successful at."
Petersen's coach has also seen a profound personal change in one of this year's team captains.
"Jake is maybe the most unique guy I've ever coached. He has said nothing negative about anyone," Watkins said. "He could have an opponent kick him in his face and he won't even say anything bad about the guy. He just picks them up and gives them a hug."
Wednesday's game was rescheduled after BYU's final PDL opponent, Real Colorado Foxes, forfeited its final match of the season on travel concerns — giving BYU it's only win of the PDL season. It wasn't the ideal ending to a rough season, but the Monarchs stepped into add a friendly to their schedule in the midst of a two-week break from USL play.
Despite the difficulties, Watkins said his club is set to build and move forward in upcoming years.
"We've got tons we can take from this season," Watkins said. "We knew this would be a tough year. Even Jace knew this would be a tough season. I'm proud of the way we've built our team. Our league isn't easy. We could have won a lot of (college) games this year, but that just isn't our situation right now."
