Cyclones ready for new soccer season
The HCHS Cyclones girls soccer team has its work cut out for it after finishing 11-6 with a third place conference finish and the best win percentage in school history, while giving up the fewest goals since Head Coach Jared Boysen took over the program.
“We are excited to get the season underway and see what potential we have for this season in our jamboree and scrimmage on Friday,” Boysen said.
During their previous season, the Cyclones scored 55 goals, 18 of which were from Senior Raegen Wicks. On defense, Seniors Claire Schmitz and Lexi Musich led the way with Musich having 66 saves.
With those girls graduated, Boysen is looking to others to step up and take on the role of leadership and leading the team offensively.
“We will need to find a way to score after losing Raegen Wicks, our leading scorer from a year ago as well as Claire Schmitz on defense and Lexi Musich in the goal,” he said. “I do feel we will have a more balanced attack on offense with three sophomores who started a year ago in Aubrey Schwieso, Ivy Stevens and Kayla Anderson. Also freshman Kate Koesters and Lauren Schmitz have looked great trying to fill the void on defense as well so far. They will be looking to the leadership of Madison Kjergaard and Ava Miller our returning seniors on defense and will hopefully keep our opponents from getting fewer shots on goal to support our new keeper.”
Sophomore Grace Albertson who was Musich’s backup last season, having 13 saves, will take on the roll of new goalie.
“Grace Albertson gained some great experience last season as a backup goalie as a freshman, and we have high hopes for what she can do for us in goal this year with her height and reach,” Boysen said.
The team is not near as big this season as they were coming into last season, but Boysen still is confident his team will do good and score with some returning students and new faces to the team.
“Juniors Darbie Argotsinger and Hailey Good also are returning and scored goals for us last year as well,” he said. “Incoming freshman Carly Torneton and Lily Schechinger look to fit in really well on offense for us after this first week of practice.”
During their practices that have taken place both indoors and outdoors depending on the weather, Boysen likes what he sees, but still feels there’s things that need to be worked on.
“We were still able to get a good start getting a lot of touches on the ball and work on the basics for those that were new to soccer this year,” he added. “We will need to get a lot of shots on goal once we are able to get outside as that is something we aren't able to do as well indoors.”
The Cyclones will have a jamboree and a scrimmage this Friday with the AHSTW Vikings, who went winless last season, before getting their regular season underway at home against the Panorama Panthers March 27 at 5 p.m.
“We are looking forward to seeing what we can do in our jamboree and scrimmage on Friday to get ready for a busy first week with three games to start the regular season,” Boysen said.