By Collin Bolebruch
Tristan Laundree — a sophomore forward and adolescent education major on the men’s soccer team — has earned a more prominent role this season. The shifty, technically sound forward has started four games for the Cardinals.
Laundree has already doubled his goal total of one from last season and is primed to be one of the teams top contributors. Laundree, a native of Keeseville, New York, has the luxury of playing in front of family and friends.
Outside of soccer, Tristan is known to play pickup basketball in Memorial Hall and ranking up in Valorant.
This question-and-answer was conducted with Tristan over email on Sept. 18.
Question: You play in the local men’s soccer summer league — what does competitive play in the summer do for you?
Answer: The local men’s soccer league provides me with some in-game experience over the summer and a chance for me to play with my friends at home. The games can get really rough so it helps me prepare for the toughness of a college soccer season. I train a lot on my own, or with a small group, so the games I play in the league are my way of trying out new things I’ve been training for. Also, being involved in a championship winning team over the summer means so much for a lot of the guys, and it was awesome to be a part of it.
Q: Out of all the guys from this year’s and last year’s men’s soccer team, what would be your ideal basketball starting five and why?
A: This is a hard question, but I’d have to go with Matt D’Ippolito, me, John Hayes, Teddy, and Randall. Sorry, Modou.
Q: What has been the biggest area, whether mentally, emotionally or physically, you’ve seen yourself improve on as a player from 2023 to 2024?
A: I have definitely improved a lot in the past year in many areas, but I would say the biggest improvement is mentally. Coming into this year, I had a ton of confidence in myself — and our team — to make a statement about what we are as a program. Coming off last year not making the SUNYAC playoffs, we had a lot to prove in terms of results. So far we are on the right track to have a great season. We just have to keep rolling.
Q: I’ve heard you’re good at Valorant and Rocket League — what games are keeping you busy now? Which have fallen off?
A: Recently, I haven’t played many video games that I used to play a lot of. One game that always keeps me busy is FIFA. There is nothing better than coming home from an away win and beating Bradyn Primus at FIFA.
