By Steve Svetovich
Dunmore High School senior soccer player Tommy Clark was All-Regional for a third time and All-State last season.
So what does he do for an encore this year?
He scores his 100th career goal, a first in the Dunmore soccer program.
Son of Tom and Molly Clark, the Dunmore senior standout scored four goals, including the 100th of his career, as Dunmore defeated Mid Valley, 2-0, in a Lackawanna League boys soccer match on Saturday, September 7.
His milestone goal came unassisted at the 7:55 mark of the first half. He also had two assists.
The Dunmore soccer stalwart led Dunmore to nine wins in its first 10 soccer matches this season.
Besides his All-Regional and All-State honors last season, Tommy was named Player of the Year in his division.
“Scoring the 100th goal was pretty special,” Tommy said. “It was a nice feeling and very satisfying. I did it with the help of all the guys on the team. They helped make the plays. It was special sharing it with them.”
Tommy’s dad is the coach of Dunmore’s soccer team.
“My dad teaches me to always be disciplined and focused,” he said.
Tommy will attend college at Lafeyette University where he will play soccer next year. He said he will probably study business and finance at Lafayette.
The scholar-athlete has a 3.8 academic average at Dunmore. His best academic subject is math.
“Dunmore is a great school,” he said. “I love the environment and the teachers. I have a lot of friends here.
“You walk the hallways and know everyone in the school. You get to know all of the teachers. After awhile, you get almost every one of the teachers in class. It’s a close knit school.”
Tommy commented on the soccer team’s quick start. “We have a bunch of talent on this team that just keeps on getting better and better,” he said. “We play very well as a team.”
He talked about the team goals. “Our goals are to win the district title, get to the states and win that.”
Dunmore made it to the district final, losing to Scranton Prep, last year.
Multi-talented, Tommy is a member of the Dunmore cross country and track and field teams.
Tommy, who plays center midfield on the team, talked about what it takes to excel as a high school soccer player.
“You need to love it and practice very hard. You need to want to be out there working to get better and better.”
