Daemen's Jean Tilo Selected For Bahamas Senior National Team

11/2/2023 12:35:00 PM

By: CONTACT: Tom McDermott, Director of Athletics Communications | tmcdermo@daemen.edu

It would be safe to say that October was a memorable month for Daemen University men's soccer player Jean Tilo.

It all began with a phone call he has been hoping to receive in recent years. On Oct. 1 a representative of the Bahamas Football Association (BFA) called to let him know that he had been selected to represent his country and play for the Bahamas Senior Nation Team during their upcoming CONCACAF Nations League games against Antigua and Barbuda.

"It felt great to get that call," said Tilo. "Several of my friends are on the national team and I was very happy to play with them and play for my country."

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A first-year player on the Daemen men's soccer team, Tilo is believed to be the first player in the history of the program to play for a national team.

"I knew the Bahamas Football Association had a vested interest in trying to get him to be a part of the national team," said Daemen head coach Bediako Swan. "For such a young player, Jean showed a high level of trust and commitment to his development and talent." "This was evident to the national team and myself as well."

Tilo had to refocus following the call as the Wildcats were set to play three games in the span of eight days. He started and played 74 minutes in a match at Mercyhurst University on Oct. 4, started and played all 90 minutes in an East Coast Conference match against Molloy University on Oct. 7 and also started and played all 90 minutes in a game at the College of Saint Rose on Oct. 11.

The team returned to Buffalo from Albany after the Saint Rose game and the next day Tilo was headed home. He would practice with the national team on Oct. 13 and was in the starting lineup for its home match against Antigua and Barbuda on Oct. 14. A defender, Tilo played all 90 minutes in his national team debut.

"I was very happy to be in the starting lineup and was confident to show my ability to play for the nation team," said Tilo. "I'm still learning as I go and while I think the coach was happy with how I played, I feel I could have done better."

Tilo remained on the island and prepared for the rematch with Antigua and Barbuda on Oct. 17. Once again, he started and played all 90 minutes in a 2-2 draw.

"The team's confidence level was not there the first game (a 4-1 loss), but in the second game we stepped it up and got a good result that we can build on."

"Jean is going to see a high level of competition with the national team," said Swan. "We are hoping that the training and game experience he gets with the national team will positively effect our program."

Tilo had to miss Daemen's Oct. 18 game at ECC rival Roberts Wesleyan University but was back in Western New York on Oct. 19. He sat out Daemen's home finale against St. Thomas Aquinas College on Oct. 21 due to illness but returned to the pitch on Oct. 25 for a league game across town at D'Youville University. The Wildcats needed a win to keep their post season hopes alive, and Tilo's first collegiate goal with just under 25 minutes left in the second half would prove to be the game-winning tally in a 3-2 Daemen victory.

Tilo and his fellow Wildcats then headed to nationally ranked Mercy University for the regular-season finale on Oct. 28. Daemen once again needed a win to keep its playoff hopes alive, but the host Mavericks broke open a close game late in the first half and the Wildcats suffered a season-ending loss. Tilo started and played 78 minutes in the season finale.

Tilo, who played in 10 (nine starts) of Daemen's 15 games this year, is confident the experience he gained playing for the national team will help him as he moves forward with the Wildcats.

"My confidence level is high right now and I am ready to face any challenge," concluded Tilo.

It appears Tilo's time with the Bahamas Senior Nation Team will continue. He expects to be called up to play for the squad when it continues its CONCACAF Nations League schedule with games against Guyana on Nov. 18 and Puerto Rico on Nov. 21.

Photos courtesy of 10th Year Seniors

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Daemen University features the premier NCAA Division II athletics program in the Buffalo-Niagara region, sponsoring 17 intercollegiate teams. For the latest information on Daemen Athletics, follow the Wildcats via social media on Twitter, Facebook, YouTube and Instagram, or sign up to receive customizable news alerts, e-mail newsletters and weekly schedule alerts.

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