Justin Harrer named Sky-Em Player of the Year

The boys soccer team picked off league foes one by one, and at the close of the season posted a perfect 10-0 record. Eleven Outlaws, all top-notch players, were selected to all-league teams, and Justin Harrer took top honors as the Sky-Em's Player of the Year, as well as being a first-team pick. Teammates Colton Mannhalter, Jadon Bachtold, and Malachy Sundstrom were also first-team selections.

Harrer is a dominant player for the Outlaws, returning as a first-team all-league and first-team all-state selection last year. This season Justin scored five goals and recorded two assists from the midfield position.

"Justin is a tremendous athlete and dominates games," said Coach Rob Jensen. "He can mark and shut down any athlete in the state and he puts the ball in scoring position for our forwards consistently. His presence changes games."

Mannhalter is also a returning first-team all-leaguer, as well as Player of the Game in the state championships last year. Colton scored five goals and created four assists this season with limited action due to an injury.

"Colton has the ability to make everyone around him better, and he has a keen understanding of the game," said Jensen. "He anticipates the ball better than any player I have ever coached. It's like having another coach on the field."

Bachtold scored nine goals and tallied seven assists during league for the Outlaws

"Jadon has improved throughout the season, and has become an impact player," said Jensen. "I believe Justin, Jadon, and Colton are the best three players in our league, and you could put them in any order based on what they do for a team. Jadon creates action, and has become a serious threat offensively. He is a fantastic young man to coach who is fiercely competitive."

Sundstrom rounds out the first-team picks. Malachy led the team with 10 goals during league play. He also tallied five assists.

"Mal comes out firing," said Jensen. "He has a nose for the goal, and is always a threat to score. He is part of our balanced attack, and he tends to be the exclamation point at the end of the sentence! Basically, the team builds the framework and he finishes it off."

Second-team honors went to Gabe Willitts, Ben Larson, Casey Lane and Ryan Funk.

Willitts, along with the other defenders, has led the Outlaws' defense to its status as one of the best in the state.

"Gabe's speed and athleticism are rarely challenged, and he does a great job of leading our defensive line," stated Jensen. "He plays smart, and often outwits offensive players. As the unspoken captain of our defensive squad that allowed fewer goals for the entirety of league play than we scored in one game against our next closest opponent, I would say he is pretty good at his job."

Larson is one of the most improved players on the team.

"Ben is tenacious, hard-working, and a good guy," said Jensen. "Ben has improved so much this year. He now constantly puts the ball into scoring position, while consistently shutting down the opponents' transition. He is fast, and smart, and does his job very well. Ben had one of the best shots I have seen this season when he scored a lefty off a one-touch from 40-plus yards at Cottage Grove. Ben has become a threat offensively as well as the end of our opponents' attack up the sideline."

Lane also earned second-team honors.

"Casey is a great athlete and is better than me at doing back flips," Jensen said. "Casey competes fiercely and is always in position to defend opponents. He is truly a team player and puts the team above everything. Casey plays smart and strong."

Funk has only played soccer since August and is already an impact player in the goal.

"Ryan has amazing instincts and tremendous hands," said Jensen. "He is fearless and powerful and is developing into a great leader. He truly is a student of the game. He has bought in fully and is already a force to be reckoned with. His skills improve faster than anyone I have coached. Ryan is truly an all-league player and will be crucial for us in the playoffs."

Andreas Pederson, Minam Cravens, and Billy Biggers were all honorable mention.

Pederson scored nine goals and recorded five assists for the Outlaws.

"Andreas could have easily been a first-team all-league selection," said Jensen. "He has a great understanding of the game and both scores and sets up teammates to do the same. He is an excellent defender and can move well without the ball."

Cravens is already an impact player as a sophomore. He currently has eight goals and five assists.

"Minam is driven to be the best, and along with Andreas could have easily been a first-team selection," stated Jensen. "He makes big plays happen and constantly pressures the defense. Minam is very coachable and really understands the game."

Jensen told The Nugget that Biggers controls his role on the field very well and is rarely out of position.

"Billy is flow," said Jensen. "What he does best is that he keeps the ball moving and sets up teammates. Billy is a silent leader on the pitch, and his presence and calm disposition provide poise for our team. Billy is a fantastic young man and I am very proud of him."

Jensen was once again chosen by his peers as Coach of the Year. Rob told The Nugget that the honor is really just a representation of the class and sportsmanship of the boys that he coaches.