As the soccer boys kick off their season this week, they have high expectations following last year’s record of 10-7. That was the first time in the sport’s ten-year AHS history that the boys have had a positive record. Head Coach Justin Williams said his goal this year is to be able to hang a conference champion banner in the gym.

They started their season off with a new warm up. Williams said last year’s warm up was a “static stretch and this year we are trying a dynamic warmup. Overall the warm up sets the tone for most of our practices and games.” Senior Kolton Carey said “this season’s work outs have been different than last year’s they get us better prepared for practice and games.”

The team will be hitting the field with two fewer starters, David Thompson and Ryan Hawkins. Without these two being leading scores for the team this year, who will be the members to  step up to fill those positions?

Williams said “soccer players are their own breed of people. There are 34 players out this year, those are solid numbers for this sport. Each player this season will have to find the way they will shape this team.” Senior Kolton Carey said “We know our potential as a team and how well we play. There’s a lot more work effort as a team that keeps us all excited to get back on the field for game time.”

This year there are seven seniors, Eric Weiser,forward, Kolton Carey, mid-field, Kyle Ginther, goalie ,Taylor Kirchner, defense, Collin Juelsgaard, mid-field, Mitchell Ginther, defense and Sam Barkley, defense. Most of these boys have been playing soccer since they were little.

Williams said he is most excited about this season because he believes “this team has the most depth of any soccer team I have coached. We have 15 to 18 players who could play at the varsity level.” He is excited to play in Glenwood on April 18th, because they are always the top team and this year they are down and have several positions to fill. “Our soccer team has eight returning starters.” This will be the game to watch.