With 11 players with significant experience retuning from last year's team that finished 6-11 overall and 3-4 in the Missota Conference, the outlook appears bright for coach Julian Buss' boys soccer squad in 2011...with one significant question mark.
Who is going to step up and pick up the scoring and leadership provided by the now-graduated Justen Thelen and Christian Thao?
Thelen piled up eight goals and six assists last fall, capping a varsity career that saw him twice earn all-Missota Conference recognition. Thao ranked third on the team in scoring while manning an important midfielder position. The dynamic duo served as senior captains in 2010.
"Justen was a positive leader whom we relied on to put the ball in the net," Buss said "and Christian was a player who brought everything he had to practices and competitions. Their loss will be deeply felt."
Much of that leadership void will fall to this year's tri-captains: Sam Leske, Brandon Scott and Chad Stivers.
The fiery Leske, an all-Missota Conference selection in 2010, served as junior captain last fall and was second on the team in scoring. Stivers' 157 saves ranked eighth in the state in 2010 and and he received all-league honorable mention for his efforts in the nets.
Other returning veterans include seniors Cole Landwehr and Michael Ricker; juniors Reid Wolf and Tyler Petter-McCauley and sophomores Jeff Hunter, Hunter Meyers, Blake Smith and Jared Wolt.
Tyler Vue was a varsity contributor as a sophomore before missing the entire 2010 season due to injury and is expected back at full strength for his senior season.
With 12 veterans returning that likely leaves between six and 10 available positions open on the varsity roster. Buss said it is way too early to even think about who will fill those vacancies.
"They could come from a very long list," he said. "We added a third level of play last year and many of those players will be competing for a spot as well as some other athletes who play soccer and don't participate in other fall sports.
"Many of those players will be very close in terms of soccer skills and physical ability so I would expect important character qualities to play a major role in helping coaches make the roster decisions."
Buss said that his team should be physically stronger than last year and that the experience gained both at the varsity and junior varsity levels in 2010 should pay dividends in the season ahead.
Buss likes his team's chances in both the conference and section. He tabbed Northfield and Shakopee as teams to beat in the Missota with Northfield also seen as a top contender in the section race.
The third year Tiger coach said the fate of his team's 2011 season will be determined by how physically and mentally tough it proves to be.
"Because skill levels are so close, it will come down to mental toughness," he said. "Winning programs have the mentality that they will out-work and out-hustle and eventually outscore their opponents.
"If we believe in our abilities and stick to the idea that everyone works their tails off, I think we will do quite well."
Robb Virgin returns as the Tiger junior varsity coach with Britta Pahl handling the B-squad coaching chores. Todd Karich and Al Jenrich will coach the middle school teams.
Farmington opens it 2011 season with a non-conference road contest, Thursday, August 25, in Faribault.
