After the turmoil surrounding the end of last season, everyone expected Chapin soccer standout Jake Lochstampfor to lose his final year of athletic eligibility. After a suspension of the first 10 games of the 2015 season, Lochstampfor will get a second chance and be back on the field with his team.

Jake Lochstampfor, a current senior at Chapin High School, was banned by the South Carolina High School League (SCHSL) after controversial actions by Lochstampfor throughout the 2014 soccer season. He received two separate red cards, one coming in the final game of the season.

“I was accused of threatening the ref which I didn’t do,” said Lochstamphor, “I do not agree with their decision because I was playing the game and I had received my cards. That was that, I never threatened the referee.”

Lochstamphor wasn’t the only one who took issue with the initial ban. Many teammates were disheartened when they heard of his punishment.

“I thought the original ban was a little harsh,” remarked Smith Dawsey, junior soccer player and team captain, “I didn’t think that his actions deserved that caliber of a punishment.”

“I thought the initial ban of Jake was a little heinous because i think it was mainly on the administrative side to a point where Jake let his temper get the best of him a couple times,” stated junior soccer player Turner Bonham, “(He) said a couple things that could’ve been easily avoided if there was a little more discipline from the coaching staff.”

Lochstamphor worked tirelessly to overturn the initial ban by the High School League to regain his senior year of eligibility. It was “a very long process”.

“I had to write several apology letters to the high school league and to the referee, telling them what I had learned from my mistakes and how I was going to play next year.”

Now that Lochstamphor is back, he plans on using his senior leadership to guide the team through what has been a disappointing start to the 2015 season.

“When I return I want to help all the new younger kids on the team and I want everyone to put as much effort and work rate to the highest they can.”

His teammates are eagerly looking forward to his return and hope it will provide a spark to the season.

“I think the return of Jake is huge, said Dawsey, “It just changes the whole team dynamics. It gives us another guy up top who can score and combine along with Turner and it allows us to keep better shape in the midfield and back line.

“Jake is a very attacking-minded player and he works very hard so he definitely leads by example,” stated Bonham, “He is one of the players that raises the level of play so I think that will really help the team. His leadership and how he plays will make everyone want to play a little bit better and I think it will have a positive impact as we start scoring more goals.”

Jake will make his return on April 14th against AC Flora after missing the first part of the season due to his suspension. The fans, coaches, and players of Chapin look await his return and the rest of the season. Next year, Jake will be playing for Erskine College in his first season of college soccer. Before he plays for Flying Fleet of Erskine, he is fortunate to have the opportunity to rejoin his Chapin teammates and provide the senior leadership that his team looks forward to upon his return.