An athlete's transition from high school to college athletics can be daunting. A faster game, a new system and a new coach—not to mention adjusting to college life—are all obstacles that can discourage an athlete who moves to a higher level of competition.

However, none of these challenges has impeded the progress of men's soccer forward Tyler Savonen '15. Savonen was a Boston Globe All-Scholastic selection in high school and has quickly made himself known at the collegiate level, scoring a team-leading six goals thus far this season for the Judges, including two strikes against Lasell College on Oct. 24.

Though the front man started playing the game at a young age, Savonen didn't focus on soccer until high school. "I gave up baseball in eighth grade," he said. "Soccer became my focus. I started playing travel when I was 12."

At the start of the recruiting process, many college coaches were interested, but ultimately Savonen opted for Brandeis, in large part due to coach Mike Coven.

"Coven was my head coach for my U-18 travel team, so I knew I'd be in a good situation coming here."

Savonen is listed as a defender on the Brandeis Athletics website but makes sure that he plays in the opposite third of the field. "I'm pretty bad at defense," he said, laughing.

However, he has proven himself a threat to opposing backlines with his imposing frame and prowess both in the air and on the ground.

"I just really try to learn from the other forwards," Savonen said, referring to strike partners Lee Russo '13, Sam Ocel '13 and Steve Keuchkarian '12. "Lee, Sam and Keuch are all really good, so I just try to do what they tell me."

When asked what the keys to his success have been thus far, Savonen instead chose to focus on the team's chances of qualifying for postseason play.

"We really just try to work together and put together good possession soccer. We're playing a lot better now than we were earlier in the season. If we get some big wins and improve finishing, we could definitely make it to the NCAA tournament."

While he still has plenty of potential to fulfill, Savonen's first collegiate season is already one to remember.