Lundberg finally gets to strut stuff for hometown; Lewis and Clark

The Coeur d'Alene Sting's Grant Lundberg holds a unique distinction at this year's Far West Regional soccer championships.

Lundberg is one of the two team captains on the U-19 team. He spent a year playing at a Division I program. In high school, he played in the world's largest soccer tournament.

But what makes him truly unique in this year's regional tournament, being held in Spokane? He's the only player actually from Spokane in the U-19 age group and perhaps the only one in the entire tournament.

And in a competition as prestigious as the Far West Regionals, it's something Lundberg, who helped Lewis and Clark to a second- place finish at state his junior year and captained the team to the quarterfinals during his senior year in 2002, doesn't take lightly.

"It means a lot," Lundberg said. "I played with the Spokane Falcons almost all of my life and we missed out on making it to regionals every year. Finally, in my last year of playing club, I get to play in my hometown in regionals. There's not a better feeling."

But if Lundberg's the only Spokane native, he's definitely not the only one with a connection to the Lilac City.

Four of his Gonzaga University teammates (all five will be sophomores in the fall)are also on the Sting team that captured the Idaho state championship.

Goalie Dade Smith, forward Luke Miller, defender Scott Campbell and midfielder John Reha, who had a goal and three assists in the Idaho title game, all were with Gonzaga last season, and the quintet have had a profound impact on the Sting's success this season.

"The biggest experience we have to draw on (as a team) is the five GU guys playing at a higher level," assistant coach Dean Thompson said. "I can't even speak of how much they've done to help bring our level up from Day 1 until now."

The Sting lost their first opening-round match to Team Utah Monday 4-2, but have the chance to earn points today against Santa Clara Sporting at 4 p.m. and Wednesday against the Missoula Strikers, also at 4 p.m. Both games are at the Polo Fields in Airway Heights.

The loss also hasn't prevented Lundberg from enjoying the fun chance to mix college teammates with the club team.

"It's a good time" Lundberg said. "We got to know each other over the last year at GU, so we have great chemistry when we're on the field together. Everyone (on the Sting) works hard. We just have a great group of guys."

The five GU players joined the Sting at the last minute. The CdA coaches had already held tryouts for the U-19 squad, but there were spots left unfilled.

Miller, who attended Sandpoint High School, spoke to Sting midfielder and fellow Sandpoint native Lonnie Williams about joining the team, and the four other Bulldogs soon followed.

And right away, Lundberg showed the leadership that would lead to him being named co-captain.

"Coming in at first I was trying to figure out who I was going to make captain, and from Day 1, he just stepped in, kept things organized," Thompson said. "And watching the response to when he was being authoritative, they just responded to him in a positive reaction."

Playing in his hometown has another bonus for Lundberg, and in turn, for his teammates: home-cooked meals.

Smith, who is from Bozeman, Mont., has been staying with Lundberg and his mother, Molly, and it's not unusual for Mother Lundberg to have four or five teenage boys at her house, watching soccer or eating. Or both.

"There's always lots of kids around," Molly Lundberg said. "But I love to cook and they love to eat, so it works out well. I can't tell you how many times I've heard the phrase, 'Um, Mom, how much did you make?' "

And for the younger Lundberg, it's a chance to give back to someone who's given him unique opportunities. Such as touring Europe with a soccer team and playing in the Gothia Cup in Sweden, the world's largest soccer tournament, with about 1,200 other teams.

"It means the world (to play at home)," Grant said. "It's good that my mom can watch because she's been so supportive. It's great to pay it back to her, finally making regionals this last year. And there's no better way to play than in front of hometown fans."

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