AWT SOCCER: Madison's Tomlin brought dominating presence

The 2014 Madison boys' soccer team had a definite target on the offensive third of the field. But when that player graduated, the Mustangs had to find a new route to score this year.

This season's offense often started with defensive center-midfielder Matthew Tomlin, a senior.

Tomlin used his large frame to win balls in the air, be a strong physical presence and stop opposing players from getting to the defensive line. If a defensive back made a run, Tomlin dropped in to fill the gap on the defensive line.

Tomlin had the ability to regain possession for the Mustangs and quickly move the ball up the field, which earned him the title of The Jackson Sun's 2015 Boys' Soccer Defensive Player of the Year.

"This year's team had to rely on chemistry and possess the ball more to get it up top," Tomlin said. "I felt my role was to distribute the ball and keep it moving forward. I also wanted to possess the ball."

Tomlin utilized multiple players for scoring chances, as Madison had four different players reach double digits in goals scored.

Scoring was also a part of Tomlin's game with 10 goals and five assists. Many of his goals came off set pieces — whether that was a long-distance free kick or a header off a corner.

"With the role that I played, I moved up as the midfield moved up, but I just didn't move up as much as they did," he said. "Free kicks were something that I worked on everyday before practice. I have always been really good at them."

Tomlin helped lead the Mustangs to the Class A-AA state tournament for the second straight season, and they lost once all season to a team from West Tennessee.

"We hadn't made the state tournament the three years before last year," Tomlin said. "So getting back up there was a big accomplishment."

The last four years at Madison have developed Tomlin into the person he is today, and he will take many memories with him.

"I think getting to know my teammates better," Tomlin said about what he takes away from the last four years. "We got closer as a unit."

College soccer is not in the plans for Tomlin as he will attend the University of Tennessee and major in civil engineering, but he does plan to play club soccer.

Michael Odom, 425-9754