As our inaugural season approaches, we wanted to give you more of an introduction to the players who will represent Lansing Common on the field this summer. Today, it’s time to get to know Patrick Restum.

What position do you play and what do you think Lansing Common fans will enjoy most about the way you play?

I am a goalkeeper, I think Lansing Common fans will enjoy my shot-stopping ability and passion.

What made you want to be a goalie growing up playing the sport? Obviously, it’s not the position most want to be anywhere near.

I started out as a forward and then was thrown into the goal at a pretty young age. I ended up being pretty good at it and never left the net after that.  I also realized that goalies don’t have to run much so that’s another reason I never wanted to leave.

As Coach Oaks noted, you are the person coming from by far the furthest away as you play in Western Washington. Were you going to come home this summer, and Lansing Common FC just worked out really well for you? What would you have done to stay fit this summer if the team wasn’t here?

I was undecided about my plans this summer until Coach Oaks called me. After getting the offer to be on the team, it was pretty much a no-brainer for me to come home and play for my local club. Without Lansing Common, I would have probably tried to still come back to Michigan for the summer and play for another team.

Like a lot of guys on the team, you stayed in the state after high school, even though you went pretty far away to Northern Michigan. From there you transferred very far away, to Western Washington. Was that purely for soccer reasons, or did you like the idea of heading to the west coast?

It was a mix of many factors and although Marquette and NMU will always have a special place in my heart it was time for me to move on. I needed a new start with my college experience. I also was not a huge fan of all the snow and cold we got in Marquette. But I have always wanted to go far away for college. It was an opportunity that I couldn’t pass up moving out to Washington. 

What is the biggest thing you are hoping to work on this summer?

I am hoping to work on my distribution and becoming a better leader. 

What was your favorite moment you have ever had on a soccer field?

That is tough, It is definitely between my freshman year of high school at Okemos. Our starting goalie got hurt and I had to come in for PKs in regional semi finals. I made one save to win it and move on. My other favorite memory was the compete for a cause game vs Mason in high school. Those were always a blast to play in.

What hobbies do you have when you aren’t playing soccer?

When I am not playing soccer, you can usually find me golfing or fishing.

Stay tuned for more player profiles and details on our upcoming Midwest Premier League season. Find our 2021 season schedule on our website by clicking here.