Stillwater’s Grant Baker ‘21 Ready to Win

Going back as far as he can remember, Grant Baker has loved the game of soccer. He started playing rec soccer at the age of 5 and started playing club soccer at the age of 7. He had always loved the game and wanted to be the best. 

Coming into his senior season, Baker has no shortage of awards to back up his play on the field. Baker has won the Wasaren league MVP once and has been named 1st team Wasaren all-star 3 times. He was also named to the times union’s first team in 2019. 

In his varsity career, Baker has netted 79 career goals and 44 assists. Being an elite scorer and distributor for his team. Baker has exceptional speed, finishing, and touch on the ball which ultimately allows him to play at a high level. If there is one thing he could improve on he told me it’s his stamina, which he is working hard to improve on every day.

Baker has netted very impressive stats and awards, but he is still chasing that sectional championship. Coming close in his 8th-grade year, but unfortunately not able to win it all.  Unfortunately due to Covid-19, Baker will not get the opportunity this year to lead his squad to a sectional championship. Baker hopes to add another league MVP to his awards and be named to the all-state team.

Stillwater is coming into this year with some new faces. When asked about his team’s chances this year to compete Baker responded, “We have a lot of underclassmen but they are talented. We just have to put it all together.” Baker and his team have been having captains practice and training together in preparation for the upcoming season which has a start date of March 8th.

Baker always looks forward to playing against Justin Pugliese of Mechanicville. He always looks forward to the matchup. As Baker is a forward and Pugliese is a defender, they would always be matched up against each other. “We would always talk smack to each other and be super competitive and trying to win, but after the game, we would be talking and be right back to friends.” 

Baker has yet to commit to any school after high school, but he plans to major in Business Management. He hopes to work for his father and move up the chain as he gains experience. Baker has many offers from different schools and whichever school he decides to attend, they will be gaining exceptional talent on and off the field.