LebCo Athlete of the Week: Lucas Schreier

When Cedar Crest needs a big play, Lucas Schreier has shown he is more than willing to deliver. Whether it’s creating opportunities for his teammates or finding the back of the net himself, the senior midfielder has helped fuel a Falcons attack that has become increasingly dangerous as the postseason approaches.

That impact was on full display during the week of September 28th through October 4th. Schreier, known to his teammates as “Chek,” scored in Cedar Crest’s 4-2 victory over McCaskey before delivering both Falcon goals in Saturday’s 2-2 draw against rival ELCO in the annual Ritter-Hoffman Cup. His 3-goal performance helped Cedar Crest continue its late-season surge and earned Schreier LebCo Athlete of the Week honors.

For Schreier, the approach has been straightforward. Rather than focusing on his individual numbers, he has concentrated on doing whatever is necessary to help the Falcons win.

“I’m just trying to do what the team needs and help us continue to win games and put games away,” Schreier said.

That approach continued to pay dividends the following week, as Cedar Crest earned important victories over Manheim Township and Warwick. Against Township on Monday, October 5th, Schreier contributed 2 assists in a 4-2 victory, helping create opportunities for the Falcons’ dangerous attack.

The late-season surge continued through the regular-season finale against Lampeter-Strasburg, a 3-2 victory that extended Cedar Crest’s unbeaten streak to 6 matches. The Falcons went 5-0-1 over that stretch, finishing the regular season with a 9-4-3 record and securing their place in the District 3 Class 4A Tournament.

Schreier finished the regular season with 8 goals and 13 assists, ranking 4th in Lancaster-Lebanon League Section 1 scoring. His production complemented teammate Jemar Pauleus, who led Section 1 with 20 goals, while Sammy Zeisloft provided another dangerous option for the Falcons.

Head coach Joe Spade has seen firsthand what makes Schreier such a difficult player to defend.

“In terms of Lucas, he’s the type of player that is pure grit and power,” Spade said. “He’s the type of player that every team fears with the ball at his feet because he’s capable of hitting arguably the hardest ball in high school soccer.”

Schreier’s connection with Pauleus has developed into one of the Falcons’ greatest offensive strengths. Spade believes their personalities are just as important to the team’s success as their ability to create scoring opportunities.

“Him and Jemar are such a duo that every coach dreams about because they feed off of each other’s energy,” Spade explained. “They both keep it very light in the locker room, and that type of personality mixes so well with a group that takes everything so seriously. They are jokesters, but when that whistle blows, they never mess around!”

Schreier has embraced that balance between enjoying the experience and competing at a high level. Asked how he fits into Cedar Crest’s overall goals, the senior kept his answer simple.

“When the team needs me, I answer for us,” Schreier said.

That mentality has helped Cedar Crest overcome significant roster turnover and continue building on the program’s recent progress. After graduating 12 seniors, the Falcons returned to the District 3 Tournament for the second straight season, having ended a nearly 20-year postseason drought last fall.

Schreier hopes this year’s group can take another step forward.

“I would like to win it all,” he said of his goals for the season.

While Schreier has been a central figure in Cedar Crest’s success, he is quick to recognize the teammates who have helped him along the way. He specifically pointed to Pauleus and Grant Reesor, whom he jokingly referred to as the “heat-seeking missile,” as two players he wanted to thank.

Soccer, however, is not the only sport in Schreier’s athletic career. He also plays baseball and plans to attend East Stroudsburg University, where he intends to study business while continuing his baseball career.

When he is not practicing or competing, Schreier enjoys lifting at the gym and playing golf. Country music is his preferred choice when it comes to listening, but the relationships he has developed through athletics remain one of the biggest reasons he enjoys competing. Asked what he appreciates most about sports, Schreier pointed to “the friendships I build.”

Those relationships have helped shape a Cedar Crest team that has learned to compete together, enjoy the experience, and rise to the challenges of a demanding season.

For Schreier, however, there is no reason to be satisfied simply with reaching the postseason. He and his teammates have bigger ambitions, and the senior isn’t shy about expressing them.

“Me and my team are coming for it all,” Schreier said.

With the regular season behind them, the Falcons now have an opportunity to turn that confidence into something memorable. And if their late-season play is any indication, they certainly aren’t planning to make an early exit.

Congratulations to Lucas on earning LebCo Athlete of the Week honors, and best of luck to him and the Falcons as they begin their District 3 postseason run.