By Denise Tucker (For OzarksSportsZone.com)
The Camdenton boys’ soccer team fielded a young squad in 2020, but one that benefitted from significant varsity minutes.
“Our players learned a lot last year and a lot of young players got some valuable varsity experience,” said Lakers head coach Tyler Sevon, who enters his second season at Camdenton. “It didn’t show up in the win column, but our team did improve last season and we are looking forward to what we have for 2021.
“COVID-19 protocols really limited our team several times throughout last season. We constantly had players quarantined. At one point during the season, we had nine varsity starters quarantined for 14 days. We learned that it is the ‘next man up’ mentality and that we really have to take every advantage that we get to improve and get better.”
Gone from the Class of 2020 team that finished 4-18-1 are goalkeeper Ian Kirby-Gibson and midfielder Austin Clay. Kirby-Gibson earned Class 3 District 9 first-team and All-Ozark Conference second-team honors, while Clay was an all-conference honorable mention selection.
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“Ian was a four-year varsity player and his aggressiveness coming off the line as a keeper and overall ability to keep the ball out of the net will be missed,” Sevon said. “Austin helped us dictate play through the midfield last year and his distribution will need to be replaced.”
The Lakers return a lot of experience with four seniors and five juniors on the roster, led by Grant Thompson, Max Thoenen and Caden Kowal.
Grant Thompson, senior, midfielder, scored three goals and had two assists, and was named Class 3 Region 3 co-defender of the year and all-district first team. “Grant is the leader on the field,” Sevon said. “(He has) great size and speed and is confident with the ball at his feet.”
Max Thoenen, senior, defender, all-district second team. “Max is our anchor on the backline and continues to improve.”
Cade Holmquist, senior, midfielder. “Cade is going to be a threat to score and has good size.”
David Grzegorezyk, senior, forward. “David is good on the ball and has a great shot anywhere around the box.”
Caden Kowal, junior, midfielder, scored three goals and was an all-district second-team selection. “Caden has great speed and a motor that never stops working.”
Hunter Stanfield, junior, goalkeeper. “Hunter really came on strong last year and was our starting goalkeeper by the end of the year.”
Jase Nickels, junior, midfielder. “Jase works harder than anybody and has really figured out how to use his skill/speed on the wing.”
Gunnar Schuster, junior, forward. “Gunnar works extremely hard and is a huge vocal leader for our team.”
Carson Holmquist, junior, midfielder. “Carson is really good on the ball and improving on the wing opposite of Jase.”
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Sevon has some newcomers he thinks will challenge for varsity time right away in Nicholas Pasley, Amado Banos, Cyres Matthes and Garrison Thompson.
Nicholas Pasley, sophomore, midfielder. “Pasley will play a key role in the central midfield on varsity this season playing alongside Grant,” Sevon said.
Amado Banos, sophomore, forward. “Amado will be dangerous with his ball skill, and we look for him to score some goals this year.”
Cyres Matthes, sophomore, midfielder. “Cyres will push the upperclassmen for playing time on the wing.”
Garrison Thompson, freshman, defender. “Garrison will make an impact defensively on the varsity as a freshman.”
Sevon also is excited about having depth – and experienced depth – coming into the 2021 season.
“We are expecting to be very competitive against other teams and amongst ourselves in practice,” Sevon said. “We only lost four seniors from last year’s team and have a squad full of seniors, juniors and sophomores that are all talented enough to be on the varsity field. They will be challenging each other for spots, and it is hopefully going to elevate our level of play all over.”
The Lakers will participate in a jamboree at Lebanon with Bolivar and Branson on Aug. 20 or 23 before opening the season on Aug. 28 at Jefferson City.
“We play a tough schedule and a full schedule of games,” Sevon said. “Hopefully, we can keep everyone healthy and be competitive against the tough schedule. The goal every year is to win a district championship, and we’re looking to win our boys’ program’s first since 2009.”
