Outlaws boys soccer program anticipates season

Eight returning varsity players, including several all-leaguers, return to the boys' varsity soccer team, and all anticipate a great season ahead.

Seniors Tim Hernandez, Sebastian Boehm and Freddy Gonzalez, along with junior Zach Hanneman, and sophomores Evan Rickards and Jake McAllister all started for the Outlaws last season and will again play a critical role on the team.

Hernandez plays at forward and was a first-team all-league selection last year. Tim tied to lead the Outlaws with 11 goals. Hernandez put in a lot of time working on his game this past year and returns as a bigger, faster, stronger player with even more skill than before.

"I look forward to Tim being a constant force up front for us this year," said Coach Rob Jensen. "He's increased his ability to shoot and score from the outside."

Sebastian Boehm will play midfield for the Outlaws, and last year was a second-team all-league pick. Boehm played at the outside last season but this year will move and play center midfield.

"Sebastian sees the field well and gives us an athletic presence in the midfield," stated Jensen. "We will be able to defend our opponents' best athletes as well as make plays for our team."

Gonzales returns for his third season on varsity and will also play midfield. Jensen is looking for Freddy to be reliable and consistent and also looks for him to score goals and assist teammates in scoring.

Junior Zach Hanneman returns as the Outlaws' keeper. Jensen described Zach as a fearless keeper and one who is willing to do anything to stop the other team from scoring.

McAllister and Rickards return as sophomores for the Outlaws, with already a year's experience under their belts. McAllister comes back with not only experience but size, and the coaching staff is looking for Jake to attack and score goals as well as be a tenacious defender.

"Jake is very talented and provides a strong scoring threat from the center midfield," said Jensen.

Rickards is a fast, athletic player and will also play at the midfield position. Rickards' speed will help the Outlaws be able spread the field and attack teams from the outside in. Evan spent many hours over the summer months working on his shooting skills.

Seniors Robert Small and Ryan Long are also back for another season. Small played a lot of minutes for the Outlaws last year and will play both at the forward and midfield positions.

"Robert has a nose for the ball and finds a way to score," said Jensen. "I'm looking for him to increase his scoring role this year."

Jensen told The Nugget that Long got a lot stronger over the summer and will play a larger role as one of the Outlaws' few returnees in the backfield. Long will provide senior leadership, experience and strength on defense.

Top newcomers to the team include Eli Boettner, Brennan Layne and Jared Early (seniors) and Nicky Blumm, Gabe Reitmann, and Cody Lane (juniors).

Blumm saw a lot of time in the Outlaws' playoff game last season and will be relied on heavily this season on the defensive end. Layne returns after a year's absence for his senior season. Brennan started at sweeper for the JV squad as a sophomore. Early, Lane, and Boettner will see time at forward and midfield and will be expected fill-in with quality minutes.

Jensen begins his fifth season as the boy's head coach and, after losing nine seniors, says he sees this year as a reloading year, not a rebuilding year.

"We return more all-leaguers than ever, and everyone was committed in the off-season to becoming a better player," said Jensen. "There are high expectations to have a great season, and our goal is to improve upon our last season and have lots of fun doing it."