Julian Buss took over the Tiger boys' soccer program last fall and he didn't need to be a mathematics major to figure out his team numbers were a problem. The small turnout coupled with an overall lack of experience produced a 4-10 record and just one win in the Missota Conference.
In year two, Buss and his staff are looking at bigger numbers and higher expectations.
"This is a team I feel can compete from day one," Buss said. "I believe this team has the potential to finish in the top three in the conference and the section. There will be some close games and tough play ahead but we have what we need to win."
One of the reasons for the optimism is the return of 11 letterwinners, including the top two goal scorers, senior tri-captains Justin Thelen and Christian Thao.
Other returning varsity players include seniors Eliah Kierski and Aaron Dahl, junior tri-captain Sam Leske and classmates Brandon Scott, Tyler Van, Cole Landwehr and Michael Ricker, and sophomores Wolf Reid and Tyler Petter-McCauley.
Buss sees experience and passion for the game as his team's strengths. Most of the returnees are year-round soccer players and according to their coach, they "live and breathe the game."
If there is a reason for concern, it might be the relative youth of this fall's squad. But not even that inexperience diminishes the positive outlook of the head coach.
"Although youth can be a disadvantage, all of our younger players have speed, explosiveness and quickness," Buss said. "Our large number of veterans will help the young players make a smooth transition to the varsity level."
Buss will also have more of a feeder system this season as the Tigers will field varsity, junior varsity and B-squad teams. Last season there were just two Farmington squads.
"I'm hoping to get to four levels and add a ninth grade team over the next few years," Buss said.
Robb Virgin will handle the junior varsity team with Joe Moser working with the B-squad. Todd Karich and Brian Oswall will share the middle school coaching duties.
