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Rockhurst soccer star pushes team to new heights

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Sports
Wednesday, 24 December 2008 00:00
Rockhurst High School senior soccer player Alex Sweetin is part of school history at the school on State Line Road.
The Overland Park, Kan., senior midfielder has performed as a starter on the Hawklets’ first back-to-back state championship soccer teams. Meanwhile he is only the second All-American in school history.
“Alex evolved into a complete player the past two seasons, which helped us win back-to-back state titles in a state known for its traditional soccer powers,” Hawklets coach Chris Lawson said. “He is the epitome of a truly great player in that he can create for himself and for others, as his 26 goals and 25 assists showed this year.”
Winning consecutive state titles means a lot to the Hawklets senior;
“It is something I wanted to do since I came here,” Sweetin said. “My brother (Eric, 22) never won state in his four years here.”
Eric and the boys’ father, Steve, first got Alex interested in soccer.
“My dad and Eric both played soccer,” Alex said, “so they threw me in there.”
Alex started in recreation soccer and began club play at the age of 9 with a club that is now called the Kansas City Wizards Juniors.
Sweetin attended grade school at Holy Trinity in Overland Park.
He decided to attend Rockhurst after graduation from grade school.
“My brother went here,” he said. “He had all good things to say about the school, so I decided it would be good for me.”
His freshman year, he played on the junior varsity to start but moved up to the varsity in time for the second half of the year. He has been a starter ever since.
Since that time, Sweetin has “continued to raise his game each year,” Lawson said.
What is the job of the center-midfielder?
“You have to get the ball where it needs to be,” Sweetin said. “You have to play offense and defense. It is one of the biggest positions, because you touch the ball a lot.”
What has been the secret of his success?
“I can see the field good and I can play pretty quick,” he said. “I worked hard and I can’t stand losing. I am competitive in anything I do. I have worked hard since my freshman year.”
Winning state for the second time may have been easier than winning that first one in 2007.
“In my junior year, we had a lot of talented players with 10 starters back,” he said. “This year we returned six starters who knew what it took to win.”
The Hawklets defeated Springfield Glendale 3-0 in St. Louis back in November.
“If some (opponent) scored a goal my junior year, everyone would panic,” the 5-9,145-pounder said. “This year we knew what to expect more.”
Making the National Soccer Coaches Association of America All-American list is big.
“I was nominated by my high school coach,” he said. “The voters in the state decided. Missouri gets two and I am one of them.”
He will be recognized at the national convention in St. Louis Jan. 14-18.
Next year he will be playing college soccer for St. Louis University.
“I like St. Louis,” he said. “They have a good program. It is like Rockhurst on the next level. They have good academics.”
He has not settled upon a career goal yet.
“They have a good business school,” he said. “I might be interested in being a teacher.”
Brother Eric just finished his senior season at St. Louis University. Eric proved a four-year starter for the Billikens. He was a MAC-Hermann Award watch player.
Back at Rockhurst, Lawson will miss his All-American and four-year starter.
“His contribution and style of play will make this program better for years to come,” the coach said. “Every young midfielder wants to play and compete like Alex. Alex always played for the right reasons. He cared more about the team winning than his stats. That is why six other players were able to score six or more goals. His work rate opened up scoring chances for others.”

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