“I’ve been in high school coaching since 1995, and he has a talent level I haven’t seen.” -- Totino-Grace coach Bill Vance on Herbert Endeley. Photo: MARK VANCLEAVE • mark.vancleave@startribune.com
Spending his formative years in Tanzania developed Herbert Endeley’s prowess on the soccer field and perspective in life.
“African kids don’t have as much as we do in the States, and they give their best effort in soccer because they know it’s their best chance at a better life,” said Endeley, who was born in the United States but moved with his family to Tanzania at age 4 and lived there five years. His father, Isaac, worked for the United Nations.
"That helped my intensity and effort. I learned that the more you give to the game, the more you get from the game.”
Endeley gave of himself through four varsity seasons at Totino-Grace, leading the Eagles to the Class 1A state championship last fall. They fell short of returning to state, but Endeley remained the catalyst with 24 goals and 11 assists. In fact, Totino-Grace was 41-0-1 the past three seasons when the dynamic forward tallied a goal or an assist.
“I’ve been in high school coaching since 1995, and he has a talent level I haven’t seen,” Eagles coach Bill Vance said.
That supreme talent makes Endeley the Star Tribune boys’ soccer Metro Player of the Year. He was also named Class 1A Mr. Soccer by the coaches association.
(See who else is on this year's All-Metro first and second teams.)
Don’t expect the attention to go the senior’s head, however.
“His style as captain was one of not asking others what he wouldn’t do himself,” Vance said. “My vision of him is from the last three weeks when he was carrying the ball bag from the locker room to the bus.”
In games, Endeley paired with forward Steevenson Lamarre to torment defenses. The Eagles went 12-0-1 in the Northwest Suburban Conference but fell in the Section 5 final to Blake.
“We knew it would be tough this season as defending champions,” said Endeley, who will play for Indiana, the No. 1-ranked team in men’s NCAA soccer. “But it motivated me to be the best player and person I could be.”
2017: Matt Lindberg, Edina
2016: Ata Claremond, North St. Paul
2015: Suad Suljic, Minnetonka
2014: Suljic, Minnetonka
2013: Zach Neiberger, Minneapolis Southwest
2012: Justin Oliver, North St. Paul
2011: Mario Aleman, Spring Lake Park/St. Anthony
2010: Eric Miller, Woodbury
2009: David Rosenthal, Apple Valley
2008: Whitney Browne, Osseo
2007: Keido Pour, St. Bernard's
2006: Colin Monasterio, Wayzata
2005: Ryan Vint, Wayzata
2004: Geoffrey Myers, Robbinsdale Armstrong
2003: Myers, Robbinsdale Armstrong
2002: Aaron Witchger, Edina
2001: Chris Lange, Bloomington Jefferson
2000: Drew Roddy, Orono
1999: Bobby Lish, Mounds View
1998: Chad Morse, Maple Grove
1997: David Dulyx, Wayzata
1996: Marshall Morehead, Stillwater
1995: Kareem Aal, Minneapolis South
1994: Eric Otto, St. Paul Academy
1993: Leo Cullen, St. Paul Academy
1992: Duncan Susee, Bloomington Jefferson
1991: Matt Gerlach, Burnsville
1990: Jeff Kogl, Stillwater
1989: Manuel Lagos, St. Paul Academy
1988: Manuel Lagos, St. Paul Academy
1987: Gerard Lagos, St. Paul Academy