Last season the Crocker High School soccer team reached the quarterfinals of the state tournament.
But expectations for this year’s squad are even higher as the Lions return 10 starters and 11 seniors from last year’s 16-3 squad.
The Lions get their first chance to live up to those expectations when they begin the season Aug. 27 at West Plains.
“I think if we can get there [to the quarterfinals], then it’s pretty much up to the team whether they can do it,” head coach Lee Richardson said. “Hopefully we can get it done, but I really believe it’s up to the players.”
The plethora of talent that returns for the Lions includes all-district sophomore goalkeeper Rich Heenan. He finished last year with three shutouts and a 1.64 goals against average.
Also back for Crocker is junior forward Teddy Zeigenbein. Zeigenbein finished his sophomore season with 24 goals, 13 assists and was an honorable mention all-state selection.
The Lions also return senior midfielder/forward Cody Gibson who had 13 goals last season.
“Offensively, the program has always had a high powered attack,” Richardson said. “We like our speed.”
Richardson said there are some starting positions at midfield and defense that have not yet been settled. He said the seniors will see a significant amount of playing time.
“I won’t say all of them [seniors], but many of them will be starting,” Richardson said.
Richardson also said he wants to see the team improve on the defensive end. He said if the team gets better defensively then some pressure can be lifted off the offense.
Having 11 seniors might seem good on paper, but Richardson noted it might be difficult to keep the team’s focus on soccer. He said sometimes seniors are focused on other things.
“This year it seems like you have more distractions,” Richardson said.
Crocker should be well tested come playoff time due to a tough regular season schedule.
The lions play five games against teams from higher classes. They also play a tournament in Moberly that will have competition from all three classes. Some of the team’s toughest matches include games against Class 3 schools Camdenton, Parkview and Springfield Central.
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Last season the Crocker High School soccer team reached the quarterfinals of the state tournament.
But expectations for this year’s squad are even higher as the Lions return 10 starters and 11 seniors from last year’s 16-3 squad.
The Lions get their first chance to live up to those expectations when they begin the season Aug. 27 at West Plains.
“I think if we can get there [to the quarterfinals], then it’s pretty much up to the team whether they can do it,” head coach Lee Richardson said. “Hopefully we can get it done, but I really believe it’s up to the players.”
The plethora of talent that returns for the Lions includes all-district sophomore goalkeeper Rich Heenan. He finished last year with three shutouts and a 1.64 goals against average.
Also back for Crocker is junior forward Teddy Zeigenbein. Zeigenbein finished his sophomore season with 24 goals, 13 assists and was an honorable mention all-state selection.
The Lions also return senior midfielder/forward Cody Gibson who had 13 goals last season.
“Offensively, the program has always had a high powered attack,” Richardson said. “We like our speed.”
Richardson said there are some starting positions at midfield and defense that have not yet been settled. He said the seniors will see a significant amount of playing time.
“I won’t say all of them [seniors], but many of them will be starting,” Richardson said.
Richardson also said he wants to see the team improve on the defensive end. He said if the team gets better defensively then some pressure can be lifted off the offense.
Having 11 seniors might seem good on paper, but Richardson noted it might be difficult to keep the team’s focus on soccer. He said sometimes seniors are focused on other things.
“This year it seems like you have more distractions,” Richardson said.
Crocker should be well tested come playoff time due to a tough regular season schedule.
The lions play five games against teams from higher classes. They also play a tournament in Moberly that will have competition from all three classes. Some of the team’s toughest matches include games against Class 3 schools Camdenton, Parkview and Springfield Central.
