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May 31—JAMESTOWN — Some kids might not like playing goalie.
The Lunde kids are built different.
Anna Lunde, a freshman goalkeeper for the Jamestown High School girls soccer team, has been competing in soccer for five years. She initially got into her sport because her brothers, Grant and Zach were involved. She began playing goalie when she joined the high school program.
"My reaction when I got the word I was starting in goal, I was excited but nervous at the same time," Anna said.
Her brother's reaction to the position was pretty much the same.
"When I started playing goalie it was scary because I wasn't used to it and I wasn't confident," Grant said. "There was a lot of things I learned quickly from teammates and other goalie coaches. We spent many hours practicing and playing after hours and by doing that it helped improve my skills and build my confidence.
"Over time I got used to it and adjusted and adapted to it and it became one of my favorite positions on the field," he said.
Grant began playing the position of goalie in 2021. His freshman and sophomore seasons he was the back-up to Jay Kupitz. He was named the starting goalie for the Blue Jays during the 2023 and 2024 seasons. The recent Blue Jay graduate was named to the NDHSAA All-State Soccer Team his junior and senior seasons
"It's been helpful to have Grant as my brother because if I do something wrong he usually knows how to fix it," Anna said. "Grant makes me better by talking me through things and explaining them. I think Grant and I have been successful as goalies because we hold each other accountable and we work hard."
Due to the age difference, Grant said he and Anna didn't play much competitive soccer together but added that the pair would get touches on the ball at home. When the siblings became goalies they would attend goalie practices and help each other with what needed improvement.
Grant pitched nine shutouts during the Jays' 2024 conference season, making 71 saves off 78 shots on goal. The senior made 24 saves in the Jays' three state tournament games for a grand total of 95 saves through 19 games.
Anna has posted seven shutouts in her first season as a starter. Throughout the conference season she made 54 saves off 64 shots faced.
"Getting a clean sheet is a great feeling and especially if you played well it makes after the game a lot more fun," Grant said. "I am proud of (Anna) for being the varsity goal keeper and adapting to the position fast and learning from her mistakes. She's younger and has more years to improve her skills. She can pick up on things you tell her very quickly."
Anna played in her first state tournament as a starter this weekend. The Blue Jays were the No. 3 seed out of the West Region entering the 2025 NDHSAA State Girls Soccer Tournament. Jamestown dropped 1-0 against Fargo Davies in the opening round. Results from Friday's game against Grand Forks Central were unavailable when The Jamestown Sun went to press.
"My goals for this season was to try to stay at a lower amount of goals on me," Anna said. "I have accomplished my goals but will still keep doing them. ... I felt a lot of pressure being varsity goalie as a freshman (but) I was happy when I started playing goalie and still am."
Continue reading...
The Lunde kids are built different.
Anna Lunde, a freshman goalkeeper for the Jamestown High School girls soccer team, has been competing in soccer for five years. She initially got into her sport because her brothers, Grant and Zach were involved. She began playing goalie when she joined the high school program.
"My reaction when I got the word I was starting in goal, I was excited but nervous at the same time," Anna said.
Her brother's reaction to the position was pretty much the same.
"When I started playing goalie it was scary because I wasn't used to it and I wasn't confident," Grant said. "There was a lot of things I learned quickly from teammates and other goalie coaches. We spent many hours practicing and playing after hours and by doing that it helped improve my skills and build my confidence.
"Over time I got used to it and adjusted and adapted to it and it became one of my favorite positions on the field," he said.
Grant began playing the position of goalie in 2021. His freshman and sophomore seasons he was the back-up to Jay Kupitz. He was named the starting goalie for the Blue Jays during the 2023 and 2024 seasons. The recent Blue Jay graduate was named to the NDHSAA All-State Soccer Team his junior and senior seasons
"It's been helpful to have Grant as my brother because if I do something wrong he usually knows how to fix it," Anna said. "Grant makes me better by talking me through things and explaining them. I think Grant and I have been successful as goalies because we hold each other accountable and we work hard."
Due to the age difference, Grant said he and Anna didn't play much competitive soccer together but added that the pair would get touches on the ball at home. When the siblings became goalies they would attend goalie practices and help each other with what needed improvement.
Grant pitched nine shutouts during the Jays' 2024 conference season, making 71 saves off 78 shots on goal. The senior made 24 saves in the Jays' three state tournament games for a grand total of 95 saves through 19 games.
Anna has posted seven shutouts in her first season as a starter. Throughout the conference season she made 54 saves off 64 shots faced.
"Getting a clean sheet is a great feeling and especially if you played well it makes after the game a lot more fun," Grant said. "I am proud of (Anna) for being the varsity goal keeper and adapting to the position fast and learning from her mistakes. She's younger and has more years to improve her skills. She can pick up on things you tell her very quickly."
Anna played in her first state tournament as a starter this weekend. The Blue Jays were the No. 3 seed out of the West Region entering the 2025 NDHSAA State Girls Soccer Tournament. Jamestown dropped 1-0 against Fargo Davies in the opening round. Results from Friday's game against Grand Forks Central were unavailable when The Jamestown Sun went to press.
"My goals for this season was to try to stay at a lower amount of goals on me," Anna said. "I have accomplished my goals but will still keep doing them. ... I felt a lot of pressure being varsity goalie as a freshman (but) I was happy when I started playing goalie and still am."
Continue reading...
