Hi-Line Athlete Profile

While many young athletes choose to participate in the traditional sports like football, basketball and baseball, Clifford Lenhardt loves to play two sports, soccer and hockey, that in some parts of the country, are still under the radar.

The 17-year-old junior, who attends North Star high school, said he tried football when he was younger, but it just wasn't a fit for him and neither was basketball.

Yet, it didn't take long for him to fall in love with hockey and soccer.

"I like there is a lot of action in those sports," Lehnardt said. "It seems like there is nonstop action. That's not really the case with football or basketball, so I think I would get bored."

While Lenhardt spends his winters playing hockey for the Havre Ice Hawks, when the spring rolls around, he hits the pitch, for the Hi-Line United. The United is a local soccer club and the team Lenhardt plays on is for players that are 19 years of age and younger.

"I have been playing with the United for a long time now," Lenhardt said. "I think I have been on the team since it was a U-14 team. Then it was a U-17 team and now it's a U-19 team. I think that the age is just going to keep going up so we can keep Alex Drew on the team."

Lenhardt, who plays forward for the United, said he has scored three goals this season and that the only thing better than scoring a goal in soccer is getting into a fight in hockey.

The United, who often play their games on the road, were able to play two games at home last Saturday, one against Lewistown and one against Miles City. Both matches were played at the Havre High soccer fields.

Lenhardt and the United may have gone 0-2 on the day, but he and his teammates still relished the chance to play at home. The Havre Daily News caught up with Lenhardt for five questions following the matches.

HDN: When did you get into sports?

Lenhardt: "I remember starting when I was really young. I started hockey when I was young and I started playing soccer when I was two and it just stuck."

HDN: How much do you guys enjoy playing at home?

Lenhardt: "It's a nice change. It's nice to not have to get up at like 3 in the morning to drive and get to the game. You get to actually sleep in a little bit.

HDN: You guys have something similar to a state tournament in the Montana Cup, what is that like to play in?

Lenhardt: "It's a lot of fun You get to meet a lot of other kids from other towns that play soccer. You get pretty familiar with them and you really get to know them."

HDN: Are you a fan of soccer, do you have a favorite team?

Lenhardt: "Yes. I am a fan of Chelsea. I don't watch them play much, but I follow their scores. I have been a fan for about 10 years or so. It's been a long time."

HDN: Do you prefer hockey or soccer?

Lenhardt: "I would have to say hockey. That's tough, but I like how in hockey, you can just go up and hit somebody. In soccer, you would get a red card for doing something like that."