Young Falcons have high expectations

After losing 11 varsity members from last year’s team, the 2010 Sheboygan Falls Falcons boys soccer team will have a young look this year.

Last year Falls finished 10-4 in the Eastern Wisconsin Conference (17-6 overall) to take third place. The Falcons’ 2009 season came to a close with a 1-0 loss to Port Washington in a WIAA regional final playoff game.

The Falcons enter the season with a new head coach, as former junior varsity coach Kris Rusch replaces Jose Hernandez

Rusch inherits a team filled with promising young players. He likes what he has seen so far in this year’s seniors. Returning Falcons include seniors Luis Hernandez, Mitch Thimmig, Jimmy Pecquex, Sam Gerhartz, Russell Preder, Karl Huberty, sophomores Will Meyer and Nick Hietela.

“The seniors have taken the younger players under their wings,” said Rusch. “It’s a very hard-working group. They know that it will be hard to replace last-year’s team.”

Newcomers include: Clayton Ottman, Mark Fischer, Baylor Bachmann and Brian Koehl.

Rusch mentioned that he thought numbers could be low this season. However he was pleasantly surprised when a number of players, including 13 freshman and few juniors, showed up for the first week of practice.

“I have some concerns about experience, but we should be up for the challenge,” remarked Rusch. “I feel both the JV and varsity could challenge for the top spot in the conference.”

Rusch said that Plymouth and Kiel should also contend, but he thinks the conference race could be wide open.

The Falcons have a lopsided home schedule In the first part of the season, which might play in their favor in building some confidence.

“The players on this team know what they have to do and overall I’ve been impressed with the hard work by the seniors,” Rusch waid.

Rusch stated that many of the positions would be manned by new players—having lost goalie Mike Herman, and first-team four-year starters Nathan Brown and Dan Duda.
BOYS SOCCER
SCHEDULE
Aug. 17-Kohler 4:30 p.m.
Aug. 24-Kewaskum 4:30 p.m.
Aug. 26-Kiel 4:30 p,m,
Aug. 30-Campbellsport 4:30 pm
Sept. 2-Two Rivers 4:30 p.m.
Sept. 7-Waupun 4:30 pm
Sept. 9-New Holstein 4:30 pm
Sept. 11-at Winneconne 9:00 am
Sept.13-at Plymouth 4:30 p.m.
Sept. 16-at Kewaskum 4:30 p.m.
Sept. 18-Falcons Invite 9 a.m.
Sept. 21-at Kiel 4:30 p.m.
Sept. 23-at Campbellsport 4:30 p.m,
Sept. 27-at Two Rivers 4:30 p.m.
Sept. 30-at Waupun 4:30 p.m.
Oct. 5-at New Holstein 7 p.m.
Oct. 7-Plymouth 4:30 p.m.