Consistency key for soccer club

By Jim den Hollander

jdenhollander@capitalnewspapers.com

am - almost from top to bottom and maybe a slightly different attitude as well.

When the new crop of Wisconsin Dells High School varsity soccer hopefuls arrived at their first practice, they became among the first to discover they have a new coach.

Thales Blaso, from Rio de Janiero, Brazil where he played soccer from age seven up to Division 1 pro, recently moved to the Dells area after marrying an American girl a few years ago.

Blaso is taking his first tentative steps in coaching on a path laid by his grandfather, a famous Brazilian coach who Blaso said went on to coach the Japanese National team for a stint and now coaches a Japanese pro team.

Blaso is not the only new one on the team. There are only three seniors in the group and all three of them are new to this specific team as well.

Becca Palmer will complete her senior year at WDHS after moving into the area from Richland Center where she played previously at inside midfield.

Dane Norgard and Gabriel Worden have both moved from football to soccer this season.

Norgard expects to be a forward while Gabriel Worden says he is likely a fullback prospect.

Found at Spring Hill Middle School's pitch on Tuesday, just the second day of practice for the team, Blaso said they were just starting to figure out positions.

"That's what we did today. We started working positions. Some players are naturally good at defense. Other ones are good at attacking," said Blaso "The point is, we have to make them comfortable to pick their positions. If he wants to be a forward, okay, there's four forwards and we're going to pick the best one. I left them free to do whatever they want as far as those positions, but whoever's better at that time, will play."

On field leadership this season could come from a potent group of juniors, entering their third season with the team and already used to carrying a heavy load.

Gone is Jordan Holverson, a coach's dream who not only played wherever he was asked, but was extremely noticeable, no matter which position he occupied, including keeper. There were others as well that chipped in including Hans Helland, Ethan Loofboro and Alicia Johnson.

However, Matt Lagoda has already made a big impression up front and he was the team's leading scorer last season while Michael Holzem moved the ball off the wing as well.

Meanwhile, on the defensive side, Keenan Loofboro has been a key component for the team since the day he stepped on the field as a freshman and Annie Priessel is equally as tireless and aggressive at the position.

There seems a solid group of soccer playing freshmen this season as well.

Coach Blaso actually is pretty pleased with what he's seen so far.

The results seldom went the way of the Chiefs last season, but there was no denying the team's work ethic was there.

One of the biggest problems the team has had to overcome, since its first days of operation is confidence.

A somewhat fragile psyche has hurt the team a little as on many occasions, a team's second goal against the Chiefs, turned into a third, fourth, fifth and sometimes plenty more in a matter of minutes.

Those 'cave ins' often spoiled solid stretches. For example, the halftime score often showed a well played first half (maybe even or down 1-0), but early in the second half, the opposition score would balloon and a good game would go out the window.

"They have to understand that its our first year together," said Blaso. "I believe in training-work, so, it's up to them," said Blaso. "Lets see how that goes.

Loofboro, already a workhorse on the team, said he could tell right away the conditioning would be a lot different this season.

"This practice was harder than all of the practices last year," said Loofboro afterward with a smile. "If he's going to work us hard, we're going to be in good shape, fit.

As for the lapses that cost them games last season, Loofboro is taking some responsibility to change that this season.

"I'm going try and address it this year and make sure the team knows, we have to give 100 per cent the whole game and not give up at half time just because we're down by one," said Loofboro.

"I think we started off slow (last year) and got it in our heads that we weren't a very good team."

Apart from the improved fitness level, Loofboro likes the whole look of the team.

"We've got a really strong team this year. There's a lot of new kids with a lot of skill.

The better skills in the younger players comes courtesy of some well run summer camps and a quickly growing youth program in town.

Blaso said the conditioning is part of the South American style of play.

"I think here, they get too focused on the sets and the strategy type of stuff," said Blaso. "Down there its more conditioning and skills I think," said Blaso, adding his style may be a little bit of both.

"You just have to add and take whatever you feel like," said the coach.

For any new team, the idea is to work from the back to the front and Blaso hinted that his strategy may be similar although he may put a little more emphasis on the offense as well.

"If you don't score, you can still tie," said the coach. "If you don't defend, you lose. I think its even...50/50," said Blaso.

The coach insisted though he wouldn't just focus on defense. "Quality defense, but you have to be able to work both," said Blaso. A little more defense because its easier to apply the natural defense than the attacking..We'll have to see. It's just the second day."

Another tough schedule

The schedule has never been easy for the Wisconsin Dells High School varsity team, since they made the jump from 'club' to varsity team a few seasons back and this season will be no different.

Actually, the start is identical with a game against the Monroe Cheesemakers to kick off the campaign, but the Chiefs hope playing on the home field is just one of two differences this time around.

Last year, the squad took a 10-0 season opening loss on the chin and never really recovered from that.

The Chiefs entertain Monroe Tuesday night at 7 p.m., then go on the road for their next pair, at Madison Edgewood and Madison.

Despite being a first year team, Mauston had the Chiefs' number last season and that is definitely a score the locals would like to settle.

Following that, the Chiefs will play a pair of home games, then play five games in eight days on the road.

After getting through that stretch though, the Chiefs will be rewarded with 10 straight days of home cooking, a five game homestand from Sept. 22 to Nov. 2.

Realistic thinking

The Wisconsin Dells High School varsity soccer team members are aware they won't be in the hunt to win a state championship this season - or likely a Badger North Conference title.

For a new team, the goals are to advance with small steps.

The team has spent the first years as a varsity program trying to build continuity and earn respect from the other teams in the area/conference.

This season, there is enough returning and incoming skill for the team to make teams realize that coming to the Dells doesn't allow them to automatically put a 'W' on their schedule.

If coach Blaso gets his wish, opposition teams will face a much more fit and prepared Dells team around. If Keenan Loofboro gets his wish, they will face a Dells' squad that won't roll over and surrender at the first sign of adversity.

Those two things could make the Chiefs a much different team this season.