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Lundquist lighting it up

Thursday, October, 11 By Bob Albright
Staff writer

Make no mistake about it, it has been a bit of a rough transition for Fellowship Christian Academy boys soccer this year going from a non-MIAA schedule of predominantly small Christian schools to a spot in the Commonwealth Conference. Well, make that a rough transition for everyone except the Rams' Brian Lundquist. The sophomore has been absolutely superlative this fall, racking up 22 goals and five assists for the tiny Christian school in Methuen.

Given the fact that Lundquist is often called upon to play the entire game and is often flanked by players who are just learning the game, the gaudy numbers become even more impressive.

"In four games we have had no subs at all," noted FCA head coach Chris Dyer, who has been forced to dip all the way down to the seventh grade level to field a team at the school of 113 students (83 boys).

"If they breathe, I'm going after them," Dyer added with a laugh.

Suffice it to say, Lundquist, who plays midfield and pretty much everywhere else for the Rams, lives and breathes the sport. He notched 22 goals last year as a freshman in nine games for the Rams, who went 7-2. While the team is 3-7-1 this year against much tougher competition, Lundquist's penchant for finding the back of the goal has remained a constant. Dyer, a former college soccer player himself, is quick to hit on his greatest asset.

"He's the fastest kid I've ever seen," said the coach. "I run pretty fast and I can't even keep up with him."

Neither can the competition. Lundquist, a co-captain from Reading, notched five goals in a non-MIAA contest against the Victory Baptist School in Londonderry and is averaging two goals a contest. Dyer makes no bones about the fact that his team would likely be facing a winless season without his whirlwind in the middle.

"He's done it all for us," said the first-year FCA coach. "And it's not like he has guys feeding him either."

With so many players who are new to the sport, Dyer says having a knowledgeable player like Lundquist has been nearly as valuable as his scoring prowess.

"It really is like having another coach out there," said Dyer, a pastor at the school. "He's just a nice, easy going kid."

The school record for career goals at FCA is 123 set by Dan Trepanier of Methuen, a 2001 graduate. It's conceivable that Lundquist could be nearly halfway to that mark by the end of his sophomore season.

"Brian's well aware of that number," said Dyer with a smile. Just like opposing coaches are quickly becoming quite aware of his number on the soccer field.