East County Athlete of the Week: Diego Freyre

Diego Freyre is a senior on the Lakewood Ranch High boys soccer team. Freyre, who has scored 11 goals this season, scored the lone goal Jan. 6 in the Mustangs' 1-0 road win over Tampa Jesuit, which is ranked No. 1 in Florida and No. 2 in the country by MaxPreps. Lakewood Ranch is 8-3-3 as of Jan. 9. 

When did you start playing soccer?

I started when I was 3. I lived in Lima, Peru, then. My dad (Willy Freyre) played soccer and some of my grandparents played soccer, so I grew up playing it too. They passed it on to me. (Freyre moved to the U.S. in 2014.)

What is the appeal to you?

I like everything about it. As soon I step onto the field, I am able to do my own thing. I forget about everything else in my life and focus only on soccer. And when you score a goal, it is such a release. It's like, 'Wow.' 

What is your best skill?

My right foot is deadly. I can shoot and score from pretty much anywhere. 

What have you been working to improve?

I have worked on my vision while going up the field. I play forward, but I stay back a little bit so I can create (opportunities). Vision is important for that. I also work on my shooting all the time to stay sharp. 

What is your favorite memory?

Scoring against Jesuit is up there. But as a freshman, when I played at Braden River High, I scored a goal in overtime in our district championship game against Sarasota High to send the game into penalties. There were like 50 seconds left in overtime, too. That was one of the biggest moments of my life. 

What did beating Jesuit mean for the team?

I think it served as a turning point for us now that we're in the second half of the season. We have tough games coming up and then the playoffs will be here in a few weeks. Hopefully that win gives us confidence and we can use it to our advantage. It feels good to beat the best team in the state. 

What is your favorite food?

Growing up in Peru, I love ceviche. It's simple but I like it a lot. 

What is your favorite movie?

I like 'Home Alone,' I watch that a lot. 

What is your favorite subject?

I like P.E. (Laughs.) But for real, I like math and science. Those are two classes that come easily to me. 

What are your hobbies?

I like to listen to music and go to the pool. Sometimes I like to swim and sometimes I just relax by the pool. 

Which superpower would you pick?

Teleportation. I could realize I'm going to be late to something and then boom, I'm there. I'm late to things a lot, so that would be helpful. 

What is the best advice you have received?

My dad always used to tell that no matter what, if I tried hard at something, he would be happy. That gave me a safe zone to be like, 'OK, I can try whatever I want,' and if it didn't work that's OK because my dad was by my side. 

Finish this sentence: "Diego Freyre is …"

Outgoing.