Nick Lenertz is the starting goalkeeper for the Minnesota Thunder Academy's Under-16 development team and an honorable-mention all-state selection for Park of Cottage Grove. He spoke recently with the Star Tribune's Jim Paulsen.

 

Talk about the Thunder Academy team: I've been there for two years. It's the top league in the nation. It's pretty intense. Very fast-paced. I've gained a lot of experience.

 

How important is your club team? Very important. It's going to get me into college. College scouts watch every game.

 

More important than high school? Yes. College coaches don't come to many of those games. But I take [high school soccer] very seriously.

 

Why goalkeeping? When I was little, I just loved making the save. I never wanted to play the field.

 

What special skills does a keeper need? You have to know your positioning and know how to command your defense because you can see the whole field and they can't.

 

Most memorable save: Last year, I was a backup keeper for the Thunder. We were playing in Ohio and I made a save on a breakaway.

 

That must have done wonders for your confidence. Yeah, it did. I felt like I was really helping the team. If I keep a clean sheet, we win.

 

Three things you do before a game: I take three ibuprofen, listen to the song "All The Above" by Maino and I always tape my left wrist.