A sound is heard after-dark behind HSE Highschool. Behind the tennis courts are lights giving off a light hum, only to be cut out by occasional yelling by supportive parents and coaches.  The stands don’t get filled as much as they used to due to circumstances, but it goes unnoticed by the team, especially to Luke Lonneman, a goalkeeper and varsity captain who has been dedicated to HSE soccer since 2017.

“[I] help get the team into the right mindset whenever we’re on the field,” Lonneman said, “keeping them motivated [and] ready to give their all.”

Lonneman proves himself on the field, giving up only 1 goal as goalkeeper in the first 7 games of the 2020 season.

“When practice really starts going, I put on my gloves and I’m in the mindset immediately,” Lonneman said, “our goalkeeping coach puts us through some intense workouts and then I join the rest of the guys”

Soccer is and will continue to be a major part of Lonneman’s life. However, it’s not the thing that pushes him to come to practice every single time and try his hardest every single game.

“There are 17 seniors on the soccer team,” Lonneman said, “and I’ve gotten to play alongside every single one of them since I’ve started. My favorite part is being able to see them every single day, knowing that we all have the same goal. And there has been nothing but support for each other for 4 years now.”

Luke’s hard work in front of the net doesn’t go unnoticed by his teammates. His teammate and close friend Matt Weaver has been alongside Lonneman since he began playing for HSE.

“Luke is the hardest working player on the team by far and really takes the sport of soccer to his heart,” Weaver said. “He aspires to play like his idol Manuel Neuer.”

Lonneman plays to see his teammates succeed. Because to him, they’re more than just his teammates, they’re the friends that have been there since the beginning. All for one common goal. Story By: Zack Vance