West Hartford soccer player Lucas Almeida, who graduated from Hall High School last week, has been named Connecticut’s Gatorade Player of the Year.

Hall’s Lucas Almeida celebrates one of his 4 goals against Conard. Hall vs. Conard boys soccer. Nov. 1, 2021. Photo credit: Paul Palmer (we-ha.com file photo)

By Ronni Newton

Lucas Almeida may have received his diploma from Hall High School on Tuesday, but his storied high school soccer career in West Hartford wasn’t quite over.

On Friday, Almeida learned he had been named Connecticut’s Gatorade Player of the Year.

“It’s been an unforgettable year. Winning Gatorade player of the Year for Connecticut tops it all off,” Almeida told We-Ha.com. “Before my senior year started, I definitely knew I could win this award, but now to officially win it with my name on it is something incredible. An award of this kind is something very rare and unique,” he said.

“Winning this award makes me feel like I left my legacy at Hall and that’s what makes me happy, because Hall means so much to me.”

It has been a career and a senior season filled with honors for the UConn-bound striker, who in December was notified that he had been named National Player of the Year. Hall did not lose a game in regular time the entire season – losing only once in the Class LL Final to Greenwich on penalty kicks.

During the season Almeida smashed the school’s long-standing career goal scoring mark with 105 – including 44 this season alone. The former record-holder Yuri Fishman, was on hand in October when Almeida broke his 94-goal record set in 1980.

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)

As a senior, Almeida was also named an All-American for the second straight year, and was also the Connecticut Soccer Coaches Association Player of the Year for the second time.

“He is definitely all in on soccer,” Hall boys soccer coach Zeke Seguro said in December when he learned about the National Player of the Year honors. “He’s worked on his own to perfect his game. I don’t know if I have ever seen anyone with his ability before.”

Almeida is ready for the next step, and said he will be joining UConn soccer players on campus for pre-season training on Aug. 6 or 7.

“I’m excited about playing at UConn because I know the state will be rooting and supporting me, which will mean a lot,” Almeida said. “I hope I can do big things once I get to UConn, but I have to take it one step at a time because it’s definitely a big jump. I definitely think having this kind of resume with all my awards going into UConn will only help matters.”

Lucas Almeida (center) signed his national letter of intent to play soccer at UConn. Pictured with Hall boys soccer head coach Zeke Seguro (left) and Eric Weingarten. Photo credit: Ronni Newton (we-ha.com file photo)

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