Donning varsity jerseys for the Decorah boys soccer team in 2023 are (front, l-r) Lincoln Bishop, Parker Heiselman, Erik Hjelle, Ethan Stravers, Garrison Grinna, Easton Luzum, Benson Newhouse, Justin Berlage, Will Larson; (middle row) Junior Battle, Aiden Burroughs, Vinicio Ortiz, Ian Giddings, Caleb Meyer, Jimmy Valdez, Jeramiah Rediske, Creed Monroe, Jake Magner, Coach Shearer; (back row) Coach Cooper, Nathaniel Myers, Isaac Knaack, Ethan Bockman, Noah Milburn, Franklin Lesmeister, Landon Kuennen, Brady Benzing, Max Wilson and Coach Davis. Not pictured is Peter Essa. (Photo courtesy of Tami Bohr)
By Becky Walz,
Donning varsity jerseys for the Decorah boys soccer team in 2023 are (front, l-r) Lincoln Bishop, Parker Heiselman, Erik Hjelle, Ethan Stravers, Garrison Grinna, Easton Luzum, Benson Newhouse, Justin Berlage, Will Larson; (middle row) Junior Battle, Aiden Burroughs, Vinicio Ortiz, Ian Giddings, Caleb Meyer, Jimmy Valdez, Jeramiah Rediske, Creed Monroe, Jake Magner, Coach Shearer; (back row) Coach Cooper, Nathaniel Myers, Isaac Knaack, Ethan Bockman, Noah Milburn, Franklin Lesmeister, Landon Kuennen, Brady Benzing, Max Wilson and Coach Davis. Not pictured is Peter Essa. (Photo courtesy of Tami Bohr)
Potential — that is the hot word around the Decorah boys soccer team this spring.
With some cornerstones to the program, along with a list of new members and a new coach, anything is possible this spring.
Anxious to see his team grow is new head coach Zachary Shearer.
Just shy
The Vikings of 2022 featured lots of returning talent. Decorah gelled throughout the season, posting a 14-4 record.
With a spot at the state tournament on the line, Decorah came out on a mission in the Class 2A opening round against West Delaware, winning 10-0 at home. The Vikes picked up a second round victory, 4-0, over Center Point-Urbana to move on the substate finale. It was there that the season ended as Marion defeated the Vikes 3-0.
Making their mark
The Vikes lost 15 players to graduation last year — Adrian Huang, Arlo Hayes, Brayden Reiser, Drew Berns, Drew White, Dylan Muhlbauer, Edgar Aguilar, Garrick Smith, Isaac Cooper, Larsson Shockey, Ryan Johanningmeier, Trysten Finholt, Zach Jermier, Bradyn Hook and Brody Young.
However, Decorah has reloaded with more talent back. They will be led by five top returnees including Jake Magner, Jimmy Valdez, Jeramiah Rediske, Brady Benzing and Erik Hjelle.
“We have a lot of players who do not have a lot of varsity experience and having a young team without a lot of that experience is going to be our biggest challenge,” said Coach Shearer.
Ready to rock
“We have a hard-working team this year who want to get better and build on what was accomplished last year,” said Coach Shearer. “Our defense is out biggest strength and should be the foundation of our success this year.”
The new coach pointed to a trio of promising newcomers ready to make their mark this season — Ian Giddings, Noah Milburn and Landon Kuennen.
The group is picking up the tactics and concepts very quickly in practice and everyone is working hard to get better every day according to the coach.
“We want to pick up where we left off last season when the team only lost three games. Our goal is to make it back to the state tournament for the first time in quite a few years,” added Coach Shearer.
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