By Steve Svetovich
Some high school athletes just need an opportunity to prove themselves.
Take Dunmore’s Conor Toole, for instance.
Son of Tom and Crissy Toole, the Dunmore junior soccer player did not get much playing time as a freshman due to a hip joint injury, He knew he had to come back as a sophomore and earn playing time.
Conor more than proved himself to the coaching staff.
This season he was named a first-team Lackawanna League Coaches all-star and is one of the top soccer performers in the league.
“I really didn’t play much as a freshman,” he said. “So I had to prove myself. I eventually got more playing time and things are really working out for me now.”
Conor, 16, plays the midfield and defense positions for the Dunmore soccer team.
He talked about what it takes to be successful as a high school soccer player.
“You need to be strong physically and mentally,” he said. “You really need to be strong and have confidence in yourself.”
Conor totaled 17 goals this season. His 26 assists were first in the league.
He helped lead Dunmore to a 15-5 record, including 10-2 in the conference. Dunmore advanced to the semifinal game in the district playoffs, losing to Scranton Prep, 4-1, this past November 1.
Well-spoken and polite, Conor talked about the success of the team.
“We started practicing as a team early last summer,” he said. “That helped us get better. We had a lot of freshmen on the team too. We developed a chemistry. With all of the practice and the chemistry developed, that really set us apart.”
Well-versed, Conor has an impressive 3.8 academic grade point average. His best subject is math.
He is a member of the health careers club and bowling club. He is a member of the Dunmore cross country and track and field teams. He runs the 800, 1600 and 3200 on the track and field team.
The junior scholar-athlete said he learned a lot from Dunmore soccer coach Tom Clark.
“He taught me to be a more attacking and aggressive soccer player. He helped me develop confidence in myself.”
The stalwart soccer performer said his parents also taught him a lot.
“They tell me to put as much effort as possible into everything I do every day. Never take anything for granted.”
Conor said he is not sure where he will attend college or what he will study, but he most definitely wants to continue playing soccer.
“My number one goal is to play college soccer,” he said. “I want to graduate college, get myself into a good career, and set myself up for a successful life.”
Conor said he enjoys listening to music in his spare time and would like to see Kanye West in concert.
The multi-talented soccer all-star said he is looking forward to the rest of his high school athletic career.
“I’ve enjoyed the past three years,” he said. “I had to prove myself along the way. I’ve made a lot of memories and friends here at Dunmore. I’m looking forward to the time left here. After that, I will look forward to playing soccer in college. I am hoping for some type of scholarship.”