Experience will boost Humboldt girls’ soccer
Returning letterwinners for the Wildcat girls’ soccer team, front row (l-r): Olivia Harklau, Laina Dettmann, Ava Girres and Sadie Hubbell. Middle row: Zoey Montag, Adelyn Vinsand, Aranza Gonzalez, Mia Sanchez and Emi Frideres. Back row: Elyse Olson, Hayden Smith and Gwendolyn Hayden. Not pictured Gracie Lyon. Independent photo.
Humboldt’s post-season run last year has fueled optimism for the upcoming high school girls’ soccer season.
The Wildcats and head coach Rodd Mooney are excited about the possibilities this spring after the Wildcats went 9-6-3 overall last year, where they advanced to a Class 1A regional final. The Wildcats were ousted 7-0 by Sioux City Heelan.
The Wildcats were quite competitive in the North Central Conference, where they finished 6-3-2 and runner-up to unbeaten league champion Iowa Falls-Alden (10-0).
“Coming off a year where we reached the regional final, we are excited to get going again,” Mooney said. “We have a lot of kids who got really good experience against really good competition during the regular season and in post-season.”
“As we begin this season, we are relying on their experience to carry us and using their know-how to bring along the younger kids as well,” Mooney said.
“We did some really cool stuff last year as a team and the girls had a lot to be really proud of. It is exciting to try and build on that and build on the accomplishments and improvement we made as last year went along,” Mooney said.
“We got better and better as the season went along last year. Hopefully we can hit the ground running this year and use that success to jump start this season,” Mooney said.
Senior defender Gracie Lyon and junior goalkeeper Laina Dettmann both earned first-team all-conference last year and return to their leadership roles. Senior Elyse Olson, a third-team pick last year, also returns.
Sophomore Sadie Hubbell is the leading returning scorer with five goals last year. The Wildcats will have to replace the 14 goals scored last year by graduated senior Elsie Hubbell.
“We have pretty much everyone back on defense. Gracie Lyon and Adelyn Vinsand had really good seasons for us last year along with Hayden Smith and Elyse Olson. McKinley Mathis also stepped in toward the end of the season last year and got some great experience,” Mooney said.
“Laina Dettmann coming back as an all-conference goalie is pretty tremendous. She had a great year and she made big strides during the season last year,” Mooney said.
Humboldt will play all of its home games at Mason Maach Field at the high school after playing many years at the old field in the north part of town. Home games will begin at 5:30 p.m. unless otherwise indicated with junior varsity games to follow.
The home opener is April 13 against Wright County. Humboldt's April 2 contest at Mason City was moved to May 14 due to inclement weather.
