Former Corban men's soccer player Caleb Louvier wrapped up his second season of professional soccer this summer with the Salem-based Cascade Surge.
Former Corban Star Louvier Enjoys Summer of Soccer & Service
SALEM, Ore. – As the Cascade Surge rolled to a 5-1 victory in their final game of the summer last month, former Corban soccer star Caleb Louvier (SeaTac, Wash.) contributed his third goal of the season in the 28th minute to help the Surge end the season on a high note.
Playing in the Northwest Division of the Premier Development League’s Western Conference, the Surge finished the season with a record of 3-8-5. On an individual level, Louvier enjoyed a stellar season, scoring three goals to go with two assists for eight total points. He played in 15 of the team’s 16 games, averaging 82 minutes on the pitch in each contest. Louvier’s season highlight on the field came on June 21st, when the former NAIA All-American scored one Surge goal and assisted on the other to help lead Cascade to a 2-1 victory over the Tacoma Tide for their first win of the season.
This summer marked Louvier’s second season with the Surge, and he has been happy for the opportunity to play high-level soccer during the summer months.
“I was excited to play soccer at a higher level and reach out to the community,” says Caleb.
This summer’s experience was a comeback of sorts for Louvier as his 2007 stint with the Surge was cut short by injury after only three games.
In addition to the games, the Surge is active in the community through volunteering in elementary schools and at soccer clinics designed to “instill values of respect, integrity, and teamwork.” The team also takes an annual trip to Europe to play against local soccer clubs and minister to those communities. Though Louvier has not been able to go to Europe with the team, he appreciates the opportunity for local service and his contribution to the mission of the Surge, saying “I felt the Surge had an awesome ministry in the community and around the world.”
Looking to the future, Louvier figures this season marks the end of his competitive career.
“This is most likely my final year of competitive soccer,” Louvier said. “I've prayed about going to Austria with my wife and playing professionally over there, but I really haven't felt the Lord leading me in that direction.”
Louvier does plan to stay involved in soccer at some capacity, saying “I do plan to play in recreational men’s leagues…coaching is a definite possibility in the future, what level and where I'm not really sure.”
Additional schooling does seem to be in Louvier’s future. Having graduated from Corban last May with a degree in Health Science, Caleb plans to enter Physical Therapy school in the fall of 2009 to get his Doctor of Physical Therapy degree, then pursue a career in outpatient physical therapy.
All in all, the season proved successful for Louvier, simply because he was able to play.
“One of my favorite things about playing for the Surge is playing soccer” he said. “Sounds boring, but it is true.”
Written by Keith Wery, Corban Sports Information Intern