Perryville soccer team hopes for treasure-filled season with goal-robber Dobbelare aboard

As Luke Dobbelare prepares for his senior year at Perryville High School, Pirates soccer coach Jerry Fulton calls him the best goalkeeper in the history of the program.

But a little over two years ago, Fulton wasn't even sure Dobbelare was good enough to earn the role of starting keeper.

"I remember when Luke was a sophomore and we were trying to determine if he would be our keeper or not," Fulton said. "It wasn't looking good for him."

Fulton said Dobbelare's performance during a summer showcase leading up to the 2012 season changed his mind.

"Our guys and my coaching staff were saying, 'Coach, I don't know, we don't think he's ready,'" Fulton said, recalling the first day of the showcase. "In Day 2 he played the best I had ever seen him play and continued that throughout the showcase. That made my mind up that Luke was my keeper, and he's been my keeper ever since."

Dobbelare, who began playing soccer at age 5, said baseball was always more of a passion for him. That changed after his sophomore season, when soccer became his top priority.

"I want to get as good as I can in this sport before I go to college," Dobbelare said about his decision to focus on soccer rather than baseball. "I think if you want to be really good at one particular thing you have to sacrifice some other things you love to focus on that one thing. My sacrifice was to quit baseball, but I don't regret it one bit."

Dobbelare, who played baseball for the Pirates for two seasons before retiring his leather glove for goalie gloves, said he caught a little bit of flack from his former baseball teammates when they learned about his decision to play soccer.

"They didn't really like that I was playing soccer, but I made the decision to play the sport I was better at, and it's worked out for me," Dobbelare said.

He's done more than just "work out" as keeper for the Pirates. According to Fulton, Dobbelare has been the best goalie the program has had since its inaugural season in 2007.

Dobbelare said he really prides himself on his ability to get on the ground to make saves. At 6 feet 2 inches, he said it's not so easy.

"I'm a big guy," Dobbelare said. "They say big guys can't get down very fast, but I think I get down pretty good."

Dobbelare's desire to play goalie started at his first youth practice when he was thrust into the position and took part in saving penalty kicks. Since then he's never wanted to play anywhere else on the field.

"That's probably my favorite part of the game, and the position," Dobbelare said about saving penalty kicks. "I really love the thrill of a one-on-one shootout and it's kept me coming back."

Dobbelare had numerous chances to showcase his one-on-one skills last year, but none of them were on a bigger stage than in the district semifinals against Sikeston.

The Pirates played the Bulldogs to a 1-1 tie in regulation an overtime. The outcome ultimately came down to penalty kicks.

Teammates celebrate with goalie Luke Dobbelare after he stopped Sikeston’s final penalty kick in the Class 3 District 1 soccer semifinals last season. The Pirates went on to win the district title and reached the state quarterfinals in a 21-4 season.

With the season on the line, Dobbelare stopped a do-or-die penalty kick then added a game-winning penalty save to propel the top-seeded Pirates past fourth-seeded Sikeston.

"Those were the two of the biggest saves of my life," Dobbelare said after recalling the semifinal match. "To come up for your team and your school like that is the best feeling."

Perryville then won its second straight Class 2 District 1 title with a 2-1 double-overtime victory over Notre Dame.

Dobbelare later secured his 17th shutout of the season in a 6-0 win over De Soto in the sectional round. The 17 shutouts are a school record.

Dobbelare has gained the attention of colleges. He said he has been in touch with Lindenwood University, Lincoln College, Crowder College and St. Louis Community College.

"Luke will tell you that it's not all him and he's got a great defense in front of him, and that's true, but the defense doesn't stop those penalty shots," Fulton said. "The defense doesn't stop those one-on-one breaks, and that's where Luke really steps up for us."

The Pirates ultimately lost 3-2 to St. Mary's in the Class 2 quarterfinals.

It was a tough ending, but Fulton said the experience should be helpful. The Pirates only lost one player to graduation.

"Our consistency and dedication to the game from last year to this year really hasn't changed," Fulton said. "This is probably the most seniors we've had since the beginning. It's nice to be the older team after being one of the younger teams for so long."

But there are always things to work on. Fulton said the one part missing in his keeper's game is his communication, and Dobbelare knows it, too.

"I've always been one to lead with my actions and not really my voice," Dobbelare said. "There are several facets of my game I could work on, and that's definitely the biggest. My teammates really need a goalie that talks to them and encourages them, and they will get it this year."

Fulton said he's seen vast improvements in Dobbelare's communication during summer workouts.

Goalkeeper Luke Dobbelare recorded 17 shutouts for a Perryville team that reached the Class 3 quarterfinals last season.

"We've really worked at it this summer, and I can tell it has gotten much better," Fulton said. "It's not just Luke though, we want to see the whole team chattering, communicating and helping each other out, but it starts with Luke because he sees everything."

Fulton said the team has set a goal of winning the state championship this year, but both he and his players know it will be a rugged road.

"Unfortunately Notre Dame is still in our district and I'm sure they're going to come back with a quality club, they do every year," Fulton said. "We're not counting them out, and other teams like Sikeston, if they're in our district, are always good, too."

Farmington, Central and Sikeston are the other teams in the district.

"It's going to be fun," Fulton said. "This is the best team I've ever coached. With the best keeper and position players around we're setting our goals high, but we know we have to maintain focus. We got a taste of success last year, but the focus has to be there if we want to do it again."