In 2015, Sean Caulfield became a Hoosier. In 2019, he became the starting goalkeeper for Indiana Men’s Soccer.

The road has been long, but after five years Caulfield is now at the top.

In his freshman season, Sean Caulfield redshirted. He did not see any playing time until the 2017 season. As a sophomore, he entered one match during a penalty kick shootout in the Big Ten Championship. In 2018, in his junior season, Caulfield added three more matches to his resume, relieving Trey Muse each game. The duo posted a combined shutout every time.

Redshirt Junior Spencer Glass witnessed the majority of Caulfield’s journey as a teammate and a friend.

“Tough journey, but I mean someone that can kind of have, as I said, that support –I think nobody would ever put a fault to him that he wasn’t happy for the guy in front of him or happy for the next guy,” Glass said.

Indiana Men’s Soccer is known for being a historically successful program. Eight banners hang on both sides of the scoreboard at Bill Armstrong Stadium to prove it. While the program has successfully produced championships, it has also successfully produced elite players.

The most recent was Trey Muse, whom Caulfield relieved. Muse is now playing soccer professionally in Major League Soccer (MLS) for the Seattle Sounders.

Before Muse started his professional career, he assumed the starting position over Caulfield, making the wait even longer. Once in the starting role, Muse earned multiple honors as a freshman and sophomore under Coach Todd Yeagley.

“Trey and others have set a pretty high standard and you know those are difficult shoes to fall into. The bottom line is that the team’s got to feel confident.” Yeagley said.

Not only does Caulfield have to live up to the expectations of the juggernaut program, he has to live up to the expectations set by Muse and previous goalkeepers. The fact that Indiana produces such elite talents only increases the pressure on Caulfield to perform.

“Well certainly I mean we have a high standard for that position and that’s why we are looking you know at every match, okay is this the right, are we getting what we need from that position- no different than a field player.” Yeagley said.

Despite multiple setbacks and daunting expectations, Caulfield continued on his journey to becoming a starter, learning everything he could from the other goalkeepers ahead of him. He was able to keep a positive attitude, putting in the necessary work.

“His big thing was you earn what you work for, so he kind of put his nose down, never complained, and cheered on the guy in front of him but when his time came he was ready to perform,” Glass said.

Caulfield was also named a captain this season in addition to being named starter.

Caulfield credited his teammates for part of his success. Even those on the bench, somewhere he has spent a lot of his time in the past.

“I think I take a lot of confidence from not just the 11 guys you see on the field but all the guys that you don’t see – all the guys on the bench,” Caulfield said.