Q&A with UMBC Athlete Sean Rothe

Down 3-1 against the No. 1 team in the nation men’s soccer senior Sean Rothe booted in a perfectly places goal from 27 yards out into the upper right corner before scoring another goal barely more than a minute later to send the game into overtime.  While the team lost in the second overtime period they made a statement that they can contend with the very best.

Rothe was apart of all three of the team’s goals, having also assisted the team’s first goal of the game.  Coming into the season Rothe played in 57 games and started his previous 37, but last season he was forced to sit out with a knee injury.

So far this season Rothe has started four of the team’s five games and leads the team with five points from a team-high two goals and an assist.

Patch: How good does it feel to be back on the field this year?

Sean Rothe:  It’s really nice but frustration was the main thing, not being out on the field last year to help win a championship.  I felt helpless sitting on the bench and in the stands watching.  It’s great to come back out, one more year that’s why I come back, to help my team out as best I can.

Patch: How much more motivation for this season did having to sit on the sidelines while watching the team in a championship give you?

Rothe:  Obviously my first thought was I’m going to come back and help these guys repeat because I felt like I almost didn’t deserve to wear the ring even though I paid my dues my first two years.

Patch: What was it like taking the No. 1 team in the nation [Maryland] to the brink?

Rothe:  It wasn’t a surprise to us.  One our home field we weren’t just going to give them the game because they’re Maryland and they’re No. 1.  We respect them but we’re not going to sit there not play because any team that does that will get crushed.

Patch: Do you think you guys made a name for yourselves on a national level with that performance?

Rothe:  We proved last year that we can do it, beat big names schools.  We’re a pretty good team.  Sometimes that overrides the skillful players they have on the field.

Patch:  What’s your favorite activity other than playing soccer?

Rothe:  I like to hang out with the guys and just bull crap with them.  I also like to shoot pool.

Patch:  What’s on your iPod when you’re working out?

Rothe:  A lot of rock; that gets me going.  Specifically I couldn’t even tell you it’s a lot of stuff.

Patch:  Who would play you in a movie?

Rothe:  I would hope it would be someone that is both studly and athletic.  I don’t know really.

Patch:  What’s your dream job?

Rothe:  What I’m doing right now, social work.  Obviously I would love to go out an play pro but realistically my body is wearing down and I like what I do now as a social worker.  I like to help out hopeless people and turn their lives around better themselves.

Patch:  Nintendo, Playstation, or Xbox?

Rothe:  I’ll have to say old-school Nintendo.  Duck Hunt was where it was at.

Patch:  Were you disappointed your first goal in the game against Maryland wasn’t on SportsCenter’s Top 10 plays?

Rothe:  I wouldn’t say disappointed because I didn’t expect it but it would have been cool to see and give us more notoriety.  It would have definitely been cool but I didn’t have my hopes up.