WHS senior Cunniffe commits to Bates College to play soccer

By Matt Pascarella

Like many kids at a young age, they try out a variety of sports before they find one that sticks. Once Windham senior Luke Cunniffe first played soccer, it did not take him long to fall in love with the game.

WHS Senior Luke Cunniffe
has had a spectacular
prep career and has
committed to attend Bates
College in Lewiston to
play for the Bobcats'
mens' soccer team.
PHOTO BY AMY
WITHAM CUNNIFFE   

He decided early on that this was a sport worth his time and that dedication has continued up until today. Cunniffe will continue his soccer career at the next level and has committed to attend Bates College in Lewiston, where he will major in economics with a minor in math, while also playing soccer for the Bobcats.

After college, Cunniffe would like to get involved in business analytics. He would also like to stay involved in soccer through coaching and provide local communities with the opportunity to play at low or no cost.

“Luke's drive and work ethic to make himself a better player sets an example for others to follow,” said Windham varsity boys’ soccer coach Jeff Neal. “He places very high expectations on himself. More often than not, you'd see Luke out on the pitch, in all kinds of weather, either working out by himself or with a group of teammates he helped organize. Luke's technical ability on the ball, coupled with his vision in reading and understanding the game should definitely help him fit in and adjust to the increased pace and physicality of the collegiate level as he makes the jump to the next level of play.”

The first time Cunniffe stepped on the soccer field he was 3. It wasn’t only the thrill of playing that held his interest, but the relationships he made through playing. He loves the game and the strategy of it; he loves learning from teammates. He’s put in a lot a time practicing his game. He would even shovel the driveway as a kid so he could practice.

“Luke is such a good teammate because he can give advice, but he’s not harping on you,” said his friend and Windham teammate senior Lukas Hammond. “He teaches you and he’ll show you how to do it because he knows how to; he’s always been good at that. He made our (Windham) team so much better with his leadership, whether it was ... how we were acting in school or on the field and how to play and how to improve our game. He’ll bring a lot of talent and his competitive nature (to Bates). He’s just a great teammate and he’ll bring all of what he’s always had, probably much more. I hope to see him grow in the offseason as well. He's not just a great guy on the field, he’s a great guy off the field – he’s awesome, that’s just what he is. He’s smart, he’s always there for you.”

It's taken a lot of hard work on the field and in the classroom for Cunniffe to reach this point. He has seized many opportunities to improve, like playing semi-professionally in the United Premier Soccer League for Lewiston Stars or for Seacoast Soccer in New Hampshire and Kennedy Park Football Club in Portland. This has allowed him to push himself against some of the best players statewide.

“I am extremely excited about having the opportunity to play for Bates next year,” said Cunniffe. “Starting college and playing soccer with a new team will definitely bring its nerves. However, I am looking forward to the opportunity to push myself and work as hard as the more experienced players. With new coaches comes a new culture and I am really excited about being part of that. I am going to bring my drive and dedication to improve myself and others around me every day into training and games. It will take time for me to find my role within the team, but I feel I can be a great addition to what they already have.”

Cunniffe says he would also like to thank his mom, his dad and his brother Sean, who have all supported and believed in him which helped contribute to his successes. <