Camdenton soccer is poised for a big season with nine starters and 13 lettermen returning from last season’s nine-win team.
“I feel that our starting lineup will be strong from top to bottom but I also feel that one of our great strengths will be our depth,” Camdenton head coach Tyler Sevon said.
The attack will be triggered by Josh Brown (senior), Krasi Petrov-Diaz (senior) and Christian Portillo (junior).
“This group of wings/strikers should be a solid front line that can put the ball in the back of the net,” Sevon said.
Brown led that group with eight goals while contributing three more assists last season. Petrov-Diaz had five goals and four assists. Portillo had two goals and two assists.
In the middle, look for Jace Armstrong (junior), Eric Banos (senior), Logan Figgins (junior) and Chase Benedick (sophomore).
“We feel really good about our midfield and their playmaking ability,” Sevon said.
Armstrong was a great facilitator leading the team with five assists and adding in a goal.
Soren Schmidt (senior), Kyle Kirby (senior), Kaden Swanson (senior), Brayson Manning (junior) and Colton Howe (junior) will handle duties at defender.
“Last year was a learning experience for this backline after we graduated an entire senior class of defenders,” Sevon said. “Now with a full year of varsity experience under their belt, I expect this group to grow exponentially and be very good.”
Brenden Lisewski (junior) and Ezekiel Carter (junior) will be the goalkeepers. Lisewski had 26 saves to 48 for Carter.
“We have the luxury of two very good goalkeepers who split time in the varsity net last year,” Sevon said. “They both gained a ton of experience and do different things well for our team. They will once again split time in the goal and continue to grow.”
This will be a team largely led by the upperclassmen.
“Our senior class will do a great job this year but our junior class is really going to bring a lot to the table,” Sevon said. “They have done a great job all offseason with their training and we are excited to see them get more opportunities on the field. Jace Armstrong, Christian Portillo, Logan Figgins, Brayson Manning and Colton Howe are really going to do a lot of positive things for us this year. Chase Benedick (sophomore) is one underclassmen that has put in a ton of work and it will show on the field.”
Camdenton will look to be relentless in all aspects.
“We just want to be relentless all over the field,” Sevon said. “We want to smother the opponent with pressure and really get after them offensively.”
Camdenton opens the regular season on Aug. 29 at Joplin.
“Our overall expectation is to continue to compete at a high level and give ourselves a good chance at a district championship run,” Sevon said. “Our schedule definitely prepares us for postseason play and will give us great competition night in and night out.”
