As a rookie defender, Mike Lookingland?s hat trick in the Baltimore Blast?s 20-9 win at California last week might have come as a shock to many fans. It was almost as much a surprise to Lookingland, who recorded his first Major Indoor Soccer League points in the game.
“I cannot remember the last time I had a hat trick,” said Lookingland, who grew up playing soccer in the Baltimore area. “Probably in youth soccer when I was 12 years old.”
He?s always been a defender, but Lookingland, 23, has had a knack for the goal, dating back to his days at Loyola Blakefield.
From Loyola, he went on to Bucknell, where he was the Bison?s captain for two seasons before becoming the first player in program history drafted by Major League Soccer. He played one season with Real Salt Lake before returning to his roots ? indoor soccer in Baltimore.
“Playing it and watching it, as well, with the Blast, I felt it was something I?d like to do,” said Lookingland, who played at local facilities in the winter. “Once the opportunity came to play for the Blast, it was pretty much a no-brainer.”
After he signed last February, it is beginning to look like a no-brainer for the Blast (5-7), too. A native Baltimorean who grew up off Northern Parkway and now lives in White Marsh with teammate Pat Ouckama, Lookingland looks like a keeper.
“He?s a young guy with a lot of ability … and if he continues to improve, he?s going to be a very good player in this league,” said Blast coach Danny Kelly, a former defender. “He can handle the ball as a defender. He can distribute the ball, and he?s a tough one-on-one defender.”
Over the coming months, Lookingland is hoping to shed his rookie label ? he still carries teammates? bags on road trips ? and the shock factor that comes with a strong game.
“Hopefully, I can learn both on and off the field,” Lookingland said. “I think I can become a better player and continue to mature over the years. And hopefully become a guy to carry us.”
THE LOOKINGLAND FILE
» High School: Loyola
» Did you know? With family residing in Fallston, Lookingland joins Guiliano Celenza (Archbishop Curley/UMBC) Billy Nelson (Bel Air High/UMBC), and P.J. Wakefield (Calvert Hall/UMBC) as Blast players who grew up in the team?s market ? Played for the Maryland Olympic Development Program and the Baltimore Bays.
