A Ridgeview grad is making his name in two sports at the college level.

Joey Brant will start his sophomore season on the soccer team at College of Idaho when the Coyotes begin practice Aug. 7. But it is on the lacrosse field where he really sets himself apart.

As a freshman, Brant led his team in scoring, with 55 goals and 30 assists in 13 games in the 2018 season. He helped the Coyotes to a 10-3 overall record, including 5-0 in Pacific Northwest Collegiate Lacrosse League Division II. College of Idaho defeated Montana 11-10 to win the league title April 29 before falling 22-8 on May 7 against Minnesota-Duluth in the national tournament.

Brant scored seven goals in a game three separate times, including his first game Feb. 10 at Gonzaga. He ended up being named the league’s rookie of the year.

Brant’s early success took him by surprise.

“My coach told me I was starting pretty early,” he said. “I knew I’d be starting, but I didn’t know I’d have as many points as the top players in the league.”

Not one to brag, Brant credits coaches with helping him be ready for the higher level of play and bigger teams than he saw at Ridgeview, where the Ravens play club lacrosse.

Brant is hopeful College of Idaho can do better next season.

“I think we all want to make it to nationals, but we want to do better,” he said.

But first, Brant will try his hand at soccer, where he plays defender. He is looking for more playing time on the pitch. He played in seven games in 2017, but didn’t start any. Brant finished the season with one assist.

Brant is the only current player on both the soccer and lacrosse teams at College of Idaho, he said.

“They’re pretty different,” he said. “Soccer is slower paced. Lacrosse is a lot faster paced and more physical.”

Playing against larger college lacrosse players took some getting used to, Brant said.

“Most of the time I’m OK with it, but sometimes you get stick checked and stuff, and it hurts,” he said. “Especially at the college level, where everybody is stronger. They hit a lot harder.”

After spending most of his freshman year undecided on a major, Brant decided to major in human performance late in the year. He plans to pursue a career as a physical therapist.

Brant enjoys attending College of Idaho, a private liberal arts school in Caldwell, west of Boise.

“It’s a fun, small college to be at,” he said. “You really know everyone and everyone is nice.”

— Reporter: 541-548-2186, gfolsom@redmondspokesman.com