Outlaws return formidable soccer squad

The boys soccer team returns more all-league- and all-state-caliber players than ever, looking to be a formidable squad. Sisters returns 13 varsity players that hope to lead their team to another league championship.

Nine seniors are back for their final year, and include Justin Harrer, Gabe Willitts, Connor Schaab, Billy Biggers, Ben Larson, Christian Hunt, Ethan Stengel, Andrew Stengel and Casey Lane.

Harrer was a first-team all-league and all-state selection last year, and scored 15 goals from defense. Justin will be a big contributor at many levels again this season. Willitts returns at center-back, and will be the nucleus of the Outlaws' defense. Gabe was a second-team all-leaguer last year.

Schaab earned honorable mention all-league last year, saw lots of time at the forward position, and scored six goals over the course of the season.

Biggers started at left wing in the state championship game last year, has shown great improvement since, and according to Coach Rob Jensen, makes everyone around him better. Larson is a tenacious player, and able to play any position on the field.

Ethan Stengel started much of the season last year, worked hard in the off-season to improve his skills, and is a potential all-league player. Lane will play a big role on the defensive end, and is one of the best athletes on the squad.

Andrew Stengel is also back for a final season with the Outlaws. Hunt saw time on the field last year and will play a bigger role on the team this year.

Juniors Colton Mannhalter and Jadon Bachtold, along with sophomores Malachy Sundstrom and Keagon Greaney, round out the returning varsity players.

Mannhalter was a first-team all-league pick last year, and was named the Player of the Game in the state championship. Jensen told The Nugget that Colton understands the game as well as anyone he's ever coached, and is coming off a school-record 18-assist season.

Bachtold will play center-midfield for the third consecutive year. He's a second-team all-leaguer who makes things happen on the field. Colton increased his scoring range in the off-season and will be an even bigger threat on offense this year.

Sundstrom is a scrappy offensive player, who has a great nose for the ball, and Greaney is currently competing for playing time at goal-keeper.

Three newcomers will join the Outlaws squad.

Andreas Pederson, a foreign exchange student from Denmark, has a great sense of the game, and will most likely see lots of time on defense. Tristan Kacemerak, a junior transfer from Jesuit, is a feisty player, who is showing great potential on the defensive end. Sophomore Ryan Funk has a natural instinct in the box, and will play goalie for the Outlaws.

Coach Jensen said, "We are reloading this season, and are older, stronger, and deeper in almost every position. I strongly believe that the holes left by our departing seniors last season will be quickly filled by both newcomers like Keegan Greaney and Ryan Funk in goal, and returners Ethan Stengel, Connor Schaab and Justin Harrer on the attack. Colton (Mannhalter) and Jadon (Bachtold) are very experienced juniors, who know how to make big plays."

Jensen added, "This team flat-out knows how to win, and is the most veteran returning group I have ever had. We are stronger than ever on the defensive end, and have many great scorers on the attack. As always, we will need a little luck, and a lot of hard work, determination and skills, but I see this group making a solid run at repeating the accomplishments of last season."