Boys soccer is young in 2008

Brady Ambrose

REEDSBURG-It will be a very similar situation in 2008 as the Reedsburg boys get ready to kick off the fall season.

Coming of an 8-11 campaign in 2007, coach Sonny Hyde will have a few shoes to fill as the Beavers look to replace the loss of 10 letter winners, including leading scorer Rodrigo Perez, as well as Dillon Berg, Pat Flint, Nick Bauer, Jeramy Greenwood, Josh Hess, Jesse Kirkeng, Jon Schmitz, Caleb Sorenson and Evan VanCleave.

"We are going to be very young this year," said Hyde, "I'm hoping that we can gel together and sneak up on some of our opponents." Unlike previous years, where Hyde was forced to "scour the school looking for kids to play", the 2008 RAHS team sports a 20 man roster, plus a full junior varsity team. "It's the first time I can remember we've actually had to cut players," said the coach, "but those players are still involved — kind of like red-shirting." Another luxury for Hyde this season is the addition of three assistant coaches. Eric Pendowski, along with Dave Sorenson and Tyler Stowers have enabled the Beavers to work in groups, rather than having one or two coaches try and do everything. "I looked around at one of our first practices and I thought, 'hey. we can actually break up into groups,'" added Hyde.

As usual, the coaches, including Hyde, think that Waunakee will be the team to catch in the badger North this season, with Sauk Prairie and Baraboo not far behind. Junior Kevin Sorenson returns and looks to be a key on the Reedsburg offense. "This is his third year at the varsity level and has come into this season in great condition, ready to lead this team," says the coach.  "Also, senior Aaron Check has returned for his last season at RAHS in good form. We are also anticipating good things from juniors  Marco Gonzalez, Cameron Bauer and Tony Koch as well as returning letter-winning sophomores, Mark Hollendyke, Ryan Thill, and Andrew Crook." Tanner Hahn and Matthew Schroeder will look to battle it out for the goalie position. Schroeder made 20 saves in limited action last year as a freshman.

The Beavers lost to Tomah 7-4 in the regional first round match at Tomah last season, and will again this year be in the same Div. 1 regional. A tough schedule starting Tuesday against Monroe will test the Beavers, who will play seven of their last 10 matches on the road.

2008 Reedsburg Boys

Soccer Schedule

8-28    @ Monona Grove

9-02    Columbus

9-04    Edgewood

9-06    James Nolden Invite

9-11    @ Waunakee

9-16    Sauk Prairie

9-18    @ Mauston

9-19    @ Richland center

9-23    @ Baraboo

9-25    Onalaska

9-30    Mount Horeb

10-02    @ Sparta

10-06    River Valley

10-07    @ Wisconsin Dells

10-14    @ Dodgeville

10-16    @ Badger Challenge