Passions of LeMaster: Driving Forces Behind the Knights’ All-America Keeper

By Devon Douglas

Brenden LeMaster is a soccer student-athlete, husband, brother, friend, and a Mormon. He is juggling a lot of responsibilities and is passionate about them all.

After graduating from Bowie High School in 2015, LeMaster, 24, spent a year working for an electrical and construction company, and for a sports training facility. By the fall of 2016, he was on his way to St. George, Utah to begin his mission.

"Everything that we do is centered around Jesus Christ and we try to live as he did," LeMaster said. "We strive to obey the laws and commandments that he has given us."

LeMaster's parents converted to Mormonism in their twenties, and while he was born into the church's teachings on Christmas Eve 1996, he would become a member after baptism around the age of eight. It has since become the guiding force in his life.

Joseph Smith, the religion's first prophet, founded Mormonism in 1830. It follows concepts of Christianity and its followers belong to The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints, which has more than 16 million members worldwide.

According to the church's website, a mission is "…volunteer service, usually ranging from six to 24 months, when Church members devote themselves… to proselytizing, humanitarian assistance or other service."

LeMaster spent two years on his mission in Utah, Eastern Nevada, and Arizona, where his ability to speak fluent Spanish was a major asset.

He was also baptized on behalf of men who had died without being baptized, and continues to offer this through his work with the church. Known as "baptisms for the dead," this ordinance is a way for "Church members [to] offer…blessings to deceased ancestors. Individuals can then choose to accept or reject what has been done in their behalf," https://bit.ly/JCLDS.

LeMaster also found time for soccer while on his mission, as he and his partner would play pickup soccer with the locals.

"I always felt like I should serve a mission," he said. "I always knew I was going to [serve] eventually. My mission was definitely the best two years of my life."

LeMaster returned home to Maryland during the winter of 2018/2019 to begin college and play soccer at Anne Arundel Community College.

Hillary Fisher, AACC Assistant Athletic Director of Communications, thought LeMaster was a great addition to their school and one of the best humans she has ever met.

"You never feel any part of him is phony," Fisher said. "He's always giving his true self, which is supportive, sympathetic, and understanding. Yet he has this drive to support his teammates and those around him."

After the Riverhawks finished the season 9-7-1, LeMaster decided to transfer to CCBC Essex for his sophomore year in hopes of being recruited to a four-year university.

"When I transferred there were not any hard feelings...[my teammates and friends at Anne Arundel] were all super supportive," LeMaster said.

Fisher and many of his former teammates cheered for him and CCBC Essex in June 2021, as the Knights competed at the NJCAA Division II Men's Soccer Championships.

"I was texting him all through the tournament wishing him good luck," Fisher said. "It's hard not to root for him."

She loved watching him play when he attended Anne Arundel and thought he was a gifted goalie. The Knights finished national runner-up and LeMaster had 23 saves in four games.

"He's a very active keeper," Fisher said. "He's moving all around and managing everything that's going on."

LeMaster began playing soccer at age three and his main influence came from his older brother, Josh, who played soccer at high-level academies around their hometown of Bowie, Md. and collegiately at the University of Maryland Baltimore.

"I wanted to be like my big brother," LeMaster said. "Then eventually it turned into me wanting to be better than him, so that's how it all started."

LeMaster initially did not have a passion for soccer like his brother, but began taking it seriously in high school. He started playing goalie, although his natural positions were right back and center midfielder, like his brother.

"I would ask him to let me shoot on him and he would always play goalie for me so that I could get better," Josh said. "[I think] he ended up becoming a goalie because of that."

Josh has noticed improvement in his little brother's abilities since the start of his career. During Josh's career he was a leader on the field and is happy to see LeMaster becoming one himself.

"Brenden is big on making everyone around him better, whether it benefits him or not," Josh said. "I think he's very good and has come a long way from high school to now; it's a crazy difference."

LeMaster's switch to goalie also stemmed from his athletic background playing a variety of sports, which included gymnastics.

"Gymnastics helped me with my agility and my spring from doing diagonal jumps and doing a lot on the bars, so my gripping power probably helps me grip a soccer ball," he said.

LeMaster played nearly every sport that his town offered, but stuck with soccer because he liked it the most and he believes his best sport.

A returning NJCAA Division II All-America goalkeeper, and three-year player due to an NJCAA Covid-19 eligibility rule, LeMaster's passion for the sport is undeniable.

Yet LeMaster has seen how his passions have blended together over the years. And while head coach Joe Fiedler is at the helm of the now No. 1 ranked Knights, he has also become a coach to LeMaster in other ways.

"It's nice to have a coach that doesn't just talk about soccer," LeMaster said. "We talk about life all the time and he gives me marriage advice sometimes, too."

Fiedler tries his best to get to know all his players, but says LeMaster is a special case.

"Brenden is older and married, so he is going through a lot," Fiedler, 58, said. "We haven't had a player before who has been married, so we talk about other things, too. His maturity is also useful for the team." Fiedler said.

Fiedler has been married for over 30 years. His martial advice to LeMaster?

"Your wife is always right whether you like it or not," Fiedler said. "That is what I always tell him, and we have a good laugh about it."

LeMaster and his wife Randi, 22, married in 2020. The two have known each other nearly their entire lives.

Randi's father coached LeMaster on a team for the Bowie Boys and Girls Club. It was coed, and Randi was on the team as well. LeMaster's father was an AP Psychology teacher at Bowie High School and taught Randi.

The two have been friends for a decade and a half.

"Our families are kind of intertwined," Randi said. "Our grandparents knew each other very well, then they had daughters who knew each other well, and they both moved to Bowie. My older sister is close with [Brenden's] older sister and his brother played soccer with my family, so we've always known each other."

However, it was not until LeMaster returned from his mission that they began to connect on another level.

In September 2018, Randi and LeMaster's families took a trip to Ocean City, Md. It was there, during a stroll on the boardwalk, that Randi knew he was the one.

"We were on the boardwalk and this family that didn't speak English very well needed help," Randi said. "He jumped right in and started to translate for them and I thought that was super cool. Not a lot of people can do that. I saw a change in him [after returning from his mission]. He was always willing to help people, but now he's kind of on this spiritual high."

That same year, as the two began to get closer, Randi converted to Mormonism.

Her mom grew up in the church, but her dad did not, so she grew up learning only the basic morals of the church. However, once she spent more time with LeMaster, Randi learned more about Mormonism, the church, and started teaching others about it with LeMaster.

"I thought why am I teaching this and I'm not even a part of the church," Randi said. "It was obvious I felt [it] was true, so I prayed about it, and I got baptized in December 2018."

They were married just under two years later, and Randi has loved every minute.

"He's the sweetest, kindest, and most helpful person," she said. "This first year with him has been the best year of my life. It's like having a sleepover with your best friend every night."

To balance marriage, school, religion, and soccer, LeMaster says he abides by a list of priorities known in the Mormon Church from former prophet Gordon B. Hinkley.

LeMaster says the first priority is to heavenly father and your relationship with him. Second is to your family. Third is to your employer, which for LeMaster includes school. Then comes service, missionary work, and prioritizing yourself.

"I focus on what I need to do to strengthen my relationship with the heavenly father and my wife first, and then school and soccer," LeMaster said. "I don't always get to do what I want, so there's a lot of sacrifice at play."

Randi works full-time as a dental assistant, and her boss is not only a member of the same church, but has known her and her husband since they were children.

Randi fully supports LeMaster in everything he does, and she says he shows her the same support.

"Monday through Thursday when he has practice or is doing homework, I take care of things I need to get done," Randi said. "When I'm at work, he does likewise. Then we have evenings and weekends as us time."

When he is not on the field, in the classroom, or taking care of things at home, LeMaster works part-time in a research lab for the U.S. Navy.

The things in his life keep him busy, yet LeMaster would have it no other way.

"[My] passion isn't just for soccer, it's for everything," LeMaster said. "That passion sweeps every aspect of my life. Whether it's loving one another, playing the sport that I love, or taking my grades as serious as possible. I'm really passionate about everything that I do."

On the pitch, LeMaster has earned such personal accolades as All-Region 20, NJCAA All-Academic, and NJCAA All-America.

He will have his last run with the Knights this week at the NJCAA Division II Men's Soccer Championships in Wichita, Kan.

The Knights are the No. 1 overall seed and today began pool play with a 1-0 win over Heartland Community College. LeMaster made five saves to preserve the shutout.

After his time at Essex has concluded, LeMaster wants to continue prioritizing his relationship with God, his wife, and hopes to play soccer at a four-year university.

Rocco Geppi also contributed to this article.