Defending NCC champs return 13 lettermen
Returning lettermen for the Humboldt boys’ soccer team, front row (l-r): Carter Westre, Trever Beach, Cristhian Ramirez and Reyes Falcon. Middle row: Fin Mason, Will Orness, Henrik Gustafson, Edvin Antonio Xum Vicario and Jayden Ramirez. Back row: Johnathan Grasca, Nolan Gustafson, Gaige Allen and Biruk Zemene. Independent photo.
After winning the inaugural North Central Conference soccer championship last year and earning the school’s first-ever trip to the state tournament, expectations are high this season for the Humboldt boys’ soccer team.
The Wildcats, under veteran coach Joe Hadar, won the NCC title at 12-0 and breezed to a 17-0 record before losing to eventual state champ Lewis Central, 2-0 in the opening round of the Class 2A state tournament.
Humboldt returns 12 lettermen from that squad, which features a wealth of talent.
“There’s a lot of enthusiasm in our pre-season practices. Everybody is excited for the new season. The attitudes in practice are really positive. There’s a lot of competition for playing time,” Hadar said.
Humboldt will have to replace goalkeeper Noah Skow, who graduated last year after a stellar performance.
“Last year we had one goalkeeper and this year we have three guys who are going to try it. Chris Karl is a junior and in his first time out. He’s looking good. Karson Rubel, a freshman, has been looking really good in practice. Brandon Garcia Antonio has also been pushing for playing time,” Hadar said.
“Brandon, a senior, has soccer experience. Karson has a lot of youth soccer experience even though he’s a freshman. And Chris is very athletic. Those three are battling,” Hadar said.
“That’s kind of how it is at every position. We have several starters returning but we have 16 freshmen out with experience who are pushing the upperclassmen. And we’ve got guys who saw a lot of playing time last year,” Hadar said. “It will be tough to decide on a starting lineup.”
Humboldt returns 42 of its 62 goals scored last season.
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2023 WILDCAT BOYS
SOCCER SCHEDULE
April 4 Webster City
April 10 Clear Lake, 5:00
April 13 at Iowa Falls, 5:30
April 17 at Garner, 5:30
April 18 Storm Lake, 5:00
April 20 Belmond-Klemme, 5:00
April 21 Hampton-DC, 6:30
April 24 Fort Dodge, 5:00
April 27 at Webster City
May 2 at Hampton
May 4 at Clear Lake
May 8 Iowa Falls-Ald., 5:00
May 9 at East Sac County, 6:15
May 11 Garner-H/V, 5:00
May 15 at Belmond, 5:30
May 18 Substate, TBA
May 22 Substate, TBA
May 24 Substate, TBA
Team Roster
Seniors: Biruk Zemene, Trever Beach, Brandon Garcia Antonio, Fin Mason, Will Orness, Henrik Gustafson.
Juniors: Gaige Allen, Johnathan Gasca, Cristhian Ramirez, Blake Woolery, Rasmus Meier, Gilbert Garcia, Nolan Gustafson, Reyes Falcon, Christopher Carl.
Sophomores: Sterling Scranton, Edvin Antonio Xum Vicario, Jayden Ramirez, Miguel Regelado, Cody Tuttle, Carter Westre, Jarin Kroeger.
Freshmen: Jonny Hayden, Obed Antonio, Caden Wilson, Valley Davis, Joseph Gonzalez, Denis Matute Martine, Dylan Frideres, Braiden Swanson, Zach Theesfeld, Jacob Girres, Spencer Coleman, Collin Payer, Zane McIntire, Silvestre Antonio, Shawn Hilton, Karson Rubel.
