The men’s soccer team plans on breaking out of their rut this year as plenty of fresh blood enters the field.

The Pumas suffered noticeable loses as ten seniors from last year have moved on.

Senior Jacob Breinholt added, “We lost our keeper, center backs, center mid, and most of our front line.”

However, this has not fazed the team as eleven varsity players are returning from last season. This should help aid the team in a quick transition into the new season.

Head Coach Brian Crayon stated, “ Over half the team is returning and even though we have had only a couple practices the team seems to be working really well together.”

The Pumas compete in the Premier bracket inside the 6A conference. The Premier bracket includes teams such as Hamilton, Chandler, and Brophy. Last season, the team finished twenty-second in their conference with a record of 4-8-1 and fifth in their bracket with a record of 1-3.

This year the team is preparing to overcome their history.

Crayon explained, “ The last few years the varsity team was built around speed and while there is still some speed on this year’s team, we will be a lot more technical. This should allow us to possess the ball more and hopefully create more scoring opportunities.”

Losing most of the seniors who once occupied their front line seemed problematic coming into tryouts. Nevertheless, many of the returning varsity players look to fulfill offensive roles.

Breinholt affirmed, “We have a lot of talent in the midfield. We have a lot of guys who can attack really well.”

Some of these players to look out for are Senior Joe Osterkamp and Senior Pearson Wallace. Osterkamp took a hiatus from high school ball to play in the national league with his club last year. He is set to return to the pitch this year.

Wallace commented, “I hope that as a team we will be able to stay more positive with each other and build each other up.”

Osterkamp and Wallace will control the team from the midfield while players like Breinholt will secure the defense. Overall, the Pumas hope to be able to make a strong presence on the field.