The Selma Times-Journal

The theme for the Concordia soccer team’s season finale a week ago was “Do it for Tall Man.”

“Tall Man” is the nickname given to senior goalie Richard MacIntosh.

He will take a degree in business administration away from Concordia College. But it was what he was given that made his time at the school so special.

“When (coach) Brent (Dukhie) took over, he got me to understand what was keeping me back,” MacIntosh said. “He made me look inside myself and taught me how to learn from my mistakes. I was able to gain some peace, and then I was able to perform. From then, I just kept improving.”

The first problem was homesickness and culture shock. Away from his native Trinidad and Tobago, MacIntosh felt the void made by being away from his family.

It affected the way he played until soon he wasn’t playing at all.

Getting from the end of the bench to becoming the team’s No. 1 goalie was no small task.

And it’s not something MacIntosh’s coach will soon forget.

“He’s going to graduate with his B.S., and he’s put in a lot of work,” Dukhie said. “He’s come a long way from a guy who didn’t start to where he is now. He’s a determined and disciplined person.”

MacIntosh hopes his story isn’t over. The same determination that made him Concordia’s anchor may afford him a chance to play for his country.

“I’m going to miss this place, I can’t say I won’t,” MacIntosh said. “It’s kind of hard to turn your back on it. A lot of people back home would beg for the opportunity to play over here. I want to go forward and hopefully play for my national team.”