Richard Lockard

Following his commitment to play college soccer at Penn State Harrisburg, the Patriot Press sat down with star soccer goalkeeper Richard Lockard.

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First of all, Congrats!

– Thank you!

What are you most looking forward to as a college athlete?

– I’m looking forward to the competitiveness and the level of hard work it’s going to be.

Do you think you’re up for the competitiveness?

– Yeah, definitely.

Why do feel that Penn State Harrisburg is the best fit for you?

– Honestly, the coaching staff and the energy it brought me. The team, all the kids were cool, the coaches were awesome, and the environment I liked a lot.

Do you think Township’s success has prepared you for the next step?

– Definitely. I don’t think I would be here without the season we had this year.

What was your favorite moment of that season?

– When we won the state championship. 100 percent.

What advice do you have for those looking to play college sports?

– Honestly, just work your hardest and everything else will fall into place.

What’s the most interesting aspect of being a goalkeeper?

– Honestly, I feel like I have to be a little crazy to be a goalie. Also, the pressure it brings, I enjoy it. I like being in do-or-die situations and helping to save my team.

What was the most challenging part of the recruiting process?

– The most challenging part was deciding where I wanted to go. It was hard to choose the school that I felt was best for me.

Were there some close contending schools?

– Yeah.

So what was the deciding factor for Penn State Harrisburg?

– I think the combination of the team environment and the facilities really set them over the top.

How did you get into soccer originally?

– I got into it when I was about three. Honestly, I didn’t have an inspiration. Nobody in my family did it but I decided, “Hey, let me try this”, and it’s stuck with me ever since.

Why has it stuck with you? What is your favorite part of the sport?

– I love how it’s played and the competition I expect of it.

Any pregame superstitions or rituals?

– Honestly, no.

You said goalkeepers have to be crazy, though, so there’s nothing in terms of that?

– I guess I can’t listen to certain music before the game, or else it throws me off.

What music?

– There’s a couple songs that I played before a game and I had a bad game and I never listened to them ever again.

What’s something interesting that people don’t know about you?

– I actually didn’t start playing goalkeeper until I was about nine years old.

So how did you get into it?

– The goalkeeper on my team when I was little quit and I asked to try. They stuck with me and that was it.

Do you think the goalkeeper position will be harder at the collegiate level?

– Definitely. The players are a lot better. It’s faster and the whole pace is different. I think I’m ready for it.

What do you like to do in the offseason?

– I like to train, go to the gym, and use my time off to spend time with friends and family.

Do you have favorite professional team or player?

– Yes. My favorite goalkeeper is Manuel Neuer and my favorite team is FC Bayern Munich.

Do you model your game after Neuer?

– Yeah. A lot of his aspects I try to implement.

Lastly, if you could live anywhere in the world, where would it be and why?

– Maybe Los Angeles because of the weather. I like everything about it. The city’s nice.