Lutheran South soccer player named All-Region Goalkeeper of the Year

As the fall semester of his senior year wraps up, Lutheran High School South goalkeeper Cooper DeShryver is looking to the future. Not only is he Lutheran South’s sole goalie — a role he’s filled since his sophomore year — but he has been dignified as one of the top competitors in the nation for his position. He was recently named the All-Region Goalkeeper of the Year, and if that’s not enough, he has been named to the All-District, All-Conference, All-Region, All-State, All-American and All-Academic teams.

“It was good to realize the stuff I’ve done,” DeShryver said. “It’s paid off, and it’ll continue to pay off, hopefully.”

DeShryver has kicked the ball around since he was five years old, when his parents signed him up for the soccer team at Lutheran Elementary School. At first, it was a good chance to spend time with his friends; his friend’s father was the coach. He says he has his fair share of good memories from those early days on the field.

It wasn’t until late elementary school — fourth or fifth grade — that he became more interested in playing as a goalkeeper. Before then, coaches would switch the young players in and out of various positions. DeShryver said he would raise his hand every so often to play goalie, but as the years went on, he started to play entire halves. In eighth grade, he said, “I’m a goalie now.”

“I get to use my hands,” DeShryver said. “It’s different. I like to be different. I’ve realized it’s more misunderstood — the goalie’s not like everybody else. You’re kind of isolated, so dealing with that was a big thing, but I love that you get to dive around and fly everywhere. That’s why I keep doing it.”

One of the highlights of DeShryver’s soccer career was last year when Lutheran South won a district championship against Bayless High School. It had been a rainy day. DeShryver fondly recalls the Monday practice before the district championship, which took place on the upcoming Saturday.

“That Monday, it was pouring down rain,” DeShryver said. “Coach still had us practicing, like, ‘Hey, it might still rain during districts. They’re not out there practicing.’ Then, yep, it was raining that day, and we got the win.”

DeShryver’s years of work have been recognized in the slew of accolades he’s received for his talent as a goalie. The many teams he’s been named to are symbolic awards to his success, though he says there might be a special event for the All-American team in the future. 

The goalie took time to applaud his teammates. Senior Evan Caron was named to All-District, All-Conference, All-Region, All-State and All-Academic teams, and sophomores Josh Fabbiano and Alex Reis were named to the All-District and All-Conference teams.

DeShryver hopes to continue playing soccer in college; he has some options, though he is not yet committed anywhere and continues to look. He says that it’s difficult to discern where to go, weighing whether to go to a smaller school where he might be a starter or head to a bigger school. 

“I’m excited to keep working hard,” DeShryver said. “That’s my big thing. That’s what got me here — just working hard. It’s tough trying to finish out this next semester without knowing where I’m going yet, so I’ve got to keep my head down and focus on soccer, on school. Once that’s figured out, I can see the end. I’ll be excited.”