By Greg Billing for the Dayton Daily News

LEBANON | Despite excelling at creating scores on the soccer field, Lebanon senior Steve Sanderfer hasn't always been considered great at being composed. Until now.

An attitude check is paying off for Sanderfer, who is calm and collecting goals at a record pace for the Warriors. With each score — he had 72 career goals entering this week — Sanderfer extends his school record.

Until last week, Mike McKay's 67 career goals was tops. And Sanderfer isn't finished yet.

"It's like he hasn't peaked," Lebanon coach Chris Heybruch said. "He's getting better every game."

Sanderfer — who has scored in Lebanon's first six games — leads the team in both goals (13) and assists (4).

"I like giving my teammates opportunities more than me getting all the chances," Sanderfer said. "I like to show I'm not a selfish player. I'm a team player."

That's also shown up in his leadership. With only four returning starters the Warriors got a jump on rebuilding as Sanderfer and teammate Todd Bunce organized their own open fields and practices. That has contributed to the Warriors' to a 4-2 start. Sanderfer's approach on the field has also helped.

With so much attention given to the striker by defenses, Sanderfer doesn't let it bother him nearly as much.

"I did realize I needed to change my attitude in the game if I wanted to play at the next level," said Sanderfer, who shares captain duties with fellow returning starters Brent Francis and Seth Butler. "When I'm getting marked up and frustrated, I just take it in stride."

"He's very hungry. He's a very intense competitor," Heybruch said. "He doesn't like to get shut down."

That doesn't happen often. Sanderfer scored 13 goals as a freshman, 20 as a sophomore and tallied 26 more last season. He already has 13 goals this season and looks to net a few more with his breakaway speed.

"His ability to take (defenders) one-on-one is something I haven't seen from anyone else in the area with that same ability," Heybruch said.

That talent will be on display Saturday as Lebanon hosts Fairmont, tied for No. 3 in Division I state poll. The game features two of the area's top scoring threats in Sanderfer and Fairmont's Lamar Skeeter.

"Basically, I just go into the game playing the way I play," Sanderfer said of the comparisons to be made between the two standouts. "I'm feeling pretty excited about the game because they're ranked in the state."

View Article at DDN