Chris Lightner made his mark as an offensive threat
for the Penn State Behrend men’s soccer team and did more in
three years than most do in four. He set the record for all-time
goals and points, and was named All-AMCC each season, garnering the
conference’s Most Valuable Player Award in 2001. Lightner was
also a two-time team MVP and led the Lions to AMCC titles in 1997
and 1999.
Stepping on the pitch as a freshman in 1997, he quickly made his
presence felt. Lightner tied for first on the team with six goals
and two assists for 14 points as a striker for the Lions. He scored
his final goal of the season in a 3-1 win over La Roche in the AMCC
Semifinals, before helping the program defeat Frostburg to win the
inaugural AMCC Championship and set the school record for most wins
with 12. For his efforts, he was named to the All-AMCC team, but it
wouldn’t be the last time in his career.
He returned for his second year with the team in 1999. The sophomore starter led the team once again with nine goals and three assists for 21 points, giving him 15 goals and five assists in just two years. Lightner scored the game-tying goal against Frostburg in the AMCC Championship game, leading the Lions to their second AMCC title in three years. He was selected to the All-Conference team for a second time, while earning team MVP honors.
The first two seasons of Lightner’s career could easily be called a preview of the main show he put on as a senior. He recorded 31 points thanks to a team-leading 13 goals and five assists to break the all-time points record with a three-year total of 66. Lightner also set the program record for career goals on the last tally of the season to reach 28 all-time. He earned his third All-Conference accolade and was named the AMCC and team’s Most Valuable Player.
Lightner held both records for seven years after graduation and is now third on both lists.
Lightner, a graduate of McDowell High School, resides in Pittsburgh, Pa. and is employed by JP Morgan Chase as the VP, Risk Manager of Consumer Banking.