Lucas Almeida, a star soccer player who broke records at West Hartford’s Hall High School, is now a senior at Sienna University and looking ahead to a standout season.

Sports reporting is sponsored by Keating Agency Insurance

By Paul Palmer

Heading into his senior year of college soccer, Lucas Almeida has some very clear goals. “I’m looking to get All-MAAC 1st team and player of year. I’d like to win the MAAC again and get to the NCAA where a win for the program would be its first,” said the former Hall High standout striker.

They are lofty goals, but after the  performance he put in last season at Siena University, they may be achievable.

Lucas Almeida, Sienna University. Photo credit: Gregory Vasil (courtesy photo)

Almeida spent his first two collegiate seasons at UConn, appearing in 16 games, but only two in his sophomore year. Heading into his junior year last year, he decided he needed a change of scenery and he liked what the Saints were offering.

“I knew it was a program on the rise and I feel they needed something extra to go to the conference final and win it,” he said. “I like the way they play an attacking style and it is a fit for me.”

It took a few games for Almeida and his teammates to click – he was pointless in the team’s first five – but then it all came together. “Once we got to know each other it clicked. They knew how I played and I knew how they liked to play. They always want to go forward to score,” Almeida said.

Lucas Almeida, Sienna University. Photo credit: Stockton Photo (courtesy photo)

He picked up a goal and assist against Manhattan in the next game and three games later had one of his best performances, assisting on every goal in 4-0 win over Canisius. He went on a run near the end of the season scoring eight goals in six games for the Saints. “The coach was a striker at QU and I wanted to play for a coach who knows my position and can teach me a lot and learn from him.”

His move to the Loudonville, NY, school turned out to be a huge boost for both Almeida and the program. Almeida had a team-leading 10 goals, and added 15 assists (second on the team) to finish as Siena’s leading all-around scorer in 18 matches with 15 starts. Among the goals were three game winners, as well as a hat trick against Niagara. He was the first Saints player to reach 20 points in a single season since 2019 and the first to score double-digit goals in one season since 2012 – just the seventh Siena player to ever reach the double-digit level.

Siena won the MAAC Conference Tournament for the first time in school history, with Almeida scoring goals in both the semifinal and final. It was also the first time the Saints qualified for the NCAA Men’s Tourney, where the team fell to Seton Hall in penalties.

Lucas Almeida, Sienna University. Photo credit: Stockton Photo (courtesy photo)

Almeida’s play earned him a number of honors, including his selection to the Second Team All-ECAC, First Team All-MAAC, and the Siena Athletics Male Athlete of the Year. Siena – which carried 15 foreign-born players on the roster – has already added five others for the upcoming season.

Lucas Almeida, Sienna University. Photo credit: Mark Smith (courtesy photo)

To keep himself ready for the senior season, Almeida is playing in the NPSL (National Premier Soccer league) with New Haven United FC this summer. He is tied for third on the team in goals scored through eight games.

As a senior at Hall High School, Almeida was named the 2022 United States Soccer Coaches High School National Player of the Year and the Gatorade CT Boys Soccer Player of the Year. In both 2021 and 2022, he was the CSCA CT Player of the Year. He is a two-time selection as a U.S. Soccer Coaches All-American, a two-time All-New England selection, as well as a two-time CT High School Coaches Association honoree.

Lucas Almeida (left), Hall coach Zeke Seguro (center), and former Hall record-holder Yuri Fishman. Conard vs. Hall boys soccer. Oct. 29, 2022. Photo credit: Paul Palmer (we-ha.com file photo)

Playing for long time coach Zeke Seguro, Almeida broke the school record with 105 career goals and helped lead the team to the 2019 Class LL State Title. He credits Seguro with teaching him a lesson he still carries with him. “Zeke never got too high or too low with me,” Almeida said. “He told me that in college it was less likely to score three goals in a game. He taught me not to get too high or too low from a game. It stuck with me and kept me working. I’ll never forget what he said,” he added.

After college, Almeida said he’d like to keep playing soccer with hopes of finding a spot in a professional league. “Maybe the USL (United Soccer League) or even MLS (Major League Soccer). I am gonna try it and see how long I can go with soccer. I know I have the talent level for it; I just have to keep working and getting better.”

Hall captain Lucas Almeida celebrates breaking the Hall High School record for goals in a career with his 95th. Conard vs. Hall boys soccer. Oct. 29, 2022. Photo credit: Paul Palmer (we-ha.com file photo)

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