Boys soccer hopes for sixth title

The Outlaws boys soccer team returns 11 veteran players to the squad this season.

The Outlaws will be a big threat in conference play. They have five straight titles under their belts and hope to repeat again this year.

Seniors Colton Manhalter, Jadon Bachtold, Tristan Kascmarek and Jayden Pallister return for their final year and will lend experience and leadership to the team. Manhalter returns for his fourth year on the varsity squad. He is a two-time first-team all-league midfielder and will play at that position again this year. He was also named Player of the Year in the state championship two years ago.

"Colton is one of the best players in the state," said Coach Rob Jensen. "He has an advanced understanding of the game and creates and finishes."

Bachtold is also a four-year starter and will play at midfield. Last year he was a first-team all-league selection, and according to Jensen, Jadon has improved in all aspects of the game since last season. Jensen added that Jadon is bigger, stronger, faster and smarter, and should be a big threat this year.

Kascmarek started at outside defense for the Outlaws last year but will play at center-back this year. Tristan has made big improvement in his footwork, and can win the ball in the air.

Pallister rounds out the returning senior players. Jayden is strong and athletic, and will play defense.

Nine juniors also return for another season: Minam Cravens, Ryan Funk, Malachy Sundstrom, Sean Willitts, Anson Ricker, Keegan Greaney and Alec Gannon.

Cravens will be playing at center-back this year. Last season he scored 10 goals for the Outlaws.

"Minam provides leadership and strength in the most critical position," said Jensen. "He creates attack from the back line."

Funk was a second-team all-league pick last year and has greatly improved his play since then. He will play goalkeeper, and will be a force in the back for the Outlaws this year.

Sundstrom was named first-team all-league last year, and scored 11 goals as a sophomore. Malachy will play at the forward position. He has a nose for the goal, and has played club ball all summer.

"Malachy has improved his footwork and vision and will require extra defenders," said Jensen.

Willitts returns at midfield and is expected to play a big role both inside and out. Ricker will play both midfield and defense. Anson saw some action as a swing player last season, and returns this year bigger and stronger. Greaney is a natural. He's fast and athletic and will play in the midfield.

Gannon saw some varsity action at the end of the season last year. Jensen said that Alec has a great sense for the game, creates flow, and picks up on nuances quickly.

Senior Seth Larson played a lot of minutes on the JV squad last year and joins the varsity team this year. Jensen said that Seth is a great team player, who makes others better. Senior Steen Johnson returns to the Outlaws squad after a year's absence. According to Jensen, Steen is athletic, savvy, and a hard worker with a positive attitude and great potential.

Freshmen Asher Bachtold and Keaton Green are the newbies on the team. Bachtold will see time at both midfield and forward, and according to Jensen has lots of playing experience and a good understanding of the game. Green is athletic and a quick learner, and will play wherever he is

needed.

Jensen said, "We return more all-league players than ever, and more players played over the summer. They have all made great improvement, and I have high expectations that they can achieve whatever they want to."