By Staff

Fall 2019 Preview: Camdenton Soccer

By Denise Tucker (For OzarksSportsZone.com)

Despite a change in head coaches a year ago, the Camdenton Lakers finished the 2018 season strong and matched their win total from the previous season.

“I think that the boys had a good year in 2018,” said head coach Chris Byington, who took over the reins last season. “We were able to play our best soccer toward the end of the year.”

The Lakers finished 8-14-1 overall and 1-8 in the Ozark Conference in 2018 before a 1-0 loss to Union in the first round of the Class 3 District 9 tournament.

And, while Byington was new at the helm in 2018, he had served as an assistant coach the previous six years in addition to serving as the girls’ head coach for the past five seasons.

“It was my first year coaching the boys (as head coach), so I knew that it would be a slight transition,” Byington said.

Another transition the Lakers will face is overcoming the loss of seven players to graduation, including: Chris Morgan, Sebastian Rhoades, CJ Rogers, Connor Hughes, Pedro Bianca, Steven Flanders and Logan Moorse.

That group combined for 39 goals, 12 assists and three shutouts, with Morgan, a defender, being named to the All-Ozark Conference Second-Team and Class 3 All-District 9 team.

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“The senior class had a lot of experience and brought a lot to the table in the tight games,” Byington said. “Their experience and leadership will be missed, but I am excited to see the current players and younger boys step up and take the lead.”

Leading the way for the 2019 Lakers are Josh Gerdiman, Abi Rodriguez, Ethan Trusdale, Grant Thompson and Wyatt Stamper.

• Josh Gerdiman was a Class 3 District 9 and All-Ozark Conference First-Team selection, scoring seven goals last season. “He is a vital role to our system,” Byington said. “He will bring much to the table and will lead the team well throughout the year.”

• Abi Rodriguez scored eight goals. “Abi will be someone that we rely on frequently up top. We are expecting great things from him.”

• Ethan Trusdale also scored eight goals. “Ethan will add to the mix with Abi up top. He has skill and is gaining a better understanding of the field.”

• “Grant Thompson will be a sophomore this year but will be a crucial part in leading the team,” Byington said. “His attitude, work ethic, and ability to learn help him grow into a better player each year. After getting his first year under his belt, I am excited to see Grant excel on the field.”

• Wyatt Stamper has played defense the past three years. “Wyatt will be important to the back line as we are establishing some new faces in our defense.”

One of those newcomers is Austin Clay, who has played junior varsity the past few seasons.

“Austin is growing into a player that could add some skill and knowledge to the varsity field,” Byington said. “We are looking forward to getting him some minutes at varsity and watching the impact that he makes.

“Due to the big 2018 senior class, there will be a lot of opportunities for the younger players to step up.”

Byington hopes the strength of his Lakers, which is hard work, will pay off with a district title and top-3 finish in the Ozark Conference.

“They have been coming to a lot of offseason practices and each are striving to work hard,” Byington said. “The work they have put in will pay off in the long run. The team will need to find a way to win the tight games, stick together, and allow adversity to lead us and help us grow.”

The Lakers will be competing in a jamboree with Branson, Bolivar and Lebanon before traveling to Marshfield for the season opener on Sept. 3.

“Being a young team and having some new faces in the defense may come with some challenges,” Byington said. “However, I know that the players will adapt and overcome whatever is thrown at them this season.”