By By Will Bardwell / staff writer
October 28, 2004
Cheryl Luquire made good on her last taste of high school soccer.
The Lamar School senior almost single-handedly kept her team in the 2004 MPSA All-Star game earlier this month and came away with the South team's MVP award.
The award was just as much a surprise as the manner in which Luquire earned it. She was named to the South All-Star team for her efforts as a striker, but her natural position is goalie.
So when the South team found itself without a goalie before the All-Star game, all eyes turned to Luquire.
"I came to the game thinking they'd have a goalie and I'd play on the field," said Luquire, a six-year veteran of Lamar soccer. "Then I found out I'd have to play goalie. We didn't even have goalie gloves, so I had to put powder on my hands."
It was an agreement that surprised no one, least of all Lamar head coach Mary McGraw, who was on the South squad's coaching staff.
"With any defensive position, you have to be vocal and a leader," McGraw said. "She (Luquire) has a positive attitude and a willingness to step up her game and do something new."
The South coaches told Luquire she would only have to play in goal for the first half. But with a scoreless tie hanging in the air at halftime, Luquire agreed to play the first 20 minutes of the second half as well.
"I remember looking at the scoreboard with about 24 minutes left, and the North players were getting off two or three shots per minute," Luquire said. "They were just drilling us. I ended up telling the coaches that I'd just stay in for the rest of the game."
And despite a late score by the North All-Stars in the upper corner of the goal that gave them a 1-0 win, Luquire was the clear choice for her team's MVP award.
McGraw said Luquire's effort was the same kind of leadership that led Lamar to the state semi-finals.
"She was very vocal," McGraw said. "She has great footwork, meaning she can dribble out of pressure and make a pass upfield.
And while Lamar's season ended earlier than Luquire hoped, her performance in the All-Star game helped bring her prep soccer career to an end on her terms.
"I was really excited," Luquire said. "I'm not one to soak up attention, so I didn't say much, but my mom and I were excited. We couldn't say anything for the whole ride home, but after that, we were both really happy. Personally, I ended on a high note."