The Lakeland High School boys soccer program is looking for a great season under new head coach Nick Haynes. After a disappointing couple of seasons, the Hawks are looking for vengeance coming into this season.
Haynes last coached for LHS 10 years ago, but throughout the last 10 years, he has continued to coach his kids’ club teams as they continue to get older.
Haynes is ready for this season and anything that gets thrown at him.
“I am looking forward to just watching the players improve with each game, which will hopefully lead us to hosting a district game here at Lakeland, which we have not done in a number of years,” Haynes said.
The Hawks got their first win against the Post Falls Trojans 3-0. They started off the year losing to Coeur d’Alene Vikings 3-1, better than what it has been in years past. They haven’t lost a match by more than two points except when they lost to Sandpoint 7-1.
They then tied with Moscow Bears 1-1 and also tied with Lewiston Bengels 2-2.
“The season is going great; we have not won any matches yet; we drew one with Moscow on Saturday for the first time in probably years,” said senior Xay Dricketts.
Senior Ethan Smith is excited for this season. “I’m looking forward to our first win and leading the team to more wins.”
The team has high praise for Haynes.
“It makes it better; Haynes is about soccer more than other coaches; he teaches better,” Dricketts said.
Smith also states, “Haynes has been a great, great coach; he implemented a new formation that was better for us.”
The Hawk’s next game is Monday at 4:30 p.m. on September 18th, at Sunrise Rotary Field in Rathdrum.
The Hawks girl’s soccer team holds a record of 3-4 so far this season.
They started the year with a tough battle against the Coeur d’Alene Vikings, losing the game 5-1. They then lost their next three games, 3-0, 2-0, and 4-2, before picking up their first win against the Bonners Ferry Badgers, 5-0.
The team has been riddled with injuries so far this season.
Senior Shelby Wear had a sprained ankle in the first game and missed the next two. Sophomore Isabella Wright tore her MCL and is out for the season. Senior Caroline Gallus has a sprained MCL and is out for a couple of games. Junior Evalyn Bowie also sprained her ankle.
Even with these injuries, head coach Kevin Rogge is still optimistic about the season. “We have had a great start to the season this year. We have been competing at a higher level. We have added some depth to the team that has helped put the ball in the back of the net.”
Though their record might not show it, the team is so close to these wins and is getting better every game. “It’s so close every time, and then we always come out flat-footed in the second half. It’s also all about how badly we want it,” said Wear.
Rogge also has noticed how much improvement the team has made so far halfway through the season.
“It is exciting to see this group of girls work together and score some amazing goals. We have had two awesome header goals this year already that have been highlight goals. I can’t wait for our new sports camera to come in so we can start filming our games and watching highlights,” Rogge stated.
The Hawk’s next game is scheduled for 4:30 p.m. Tuesday, Sept. 19, at Sunrise Rotary Field in Rathdrum.