The leaves are beginning to turn, the days are getting shorter, and the nights are getting colder, meaning fall sports are in full force – some already winding down. The regular season of boys soccer is drawing to a rapid closure, with just one match left to be played before playoffs commence. Graduating a senior class of 10 players last year left a lot of shoes to be filled in virtually every position on the field. Only five players who were part of last year’s record smashing season are still on the team. Of those five, only one player is playing in the same position as they did last year. Understandably, the team got of to a bit of a shaky start to the season with the majority of the team trying to learn and excel in their new positions on the field, but each has stepped up and adapted to their respective roles, resulting in stronger, more complete performances from the team. After starting the season as eleven individuals grappling with the struggles of learning new roles, the squad has become one cohesive unit that thrives on chemistry and deep bonds with each other.

As things stand, the team has a record of 7-6-1, which is very respectable considering the level of competition they come up against in section 1A, including the likes of traditional powerhouses Rochester Lourdes, Byron, and Austin. Perhaps the biggest success of the season was the annual invitational tournament in Lake City. At full-time, the Bombers and the host team were engaged in a 1-1 deadlock. To determine who would play in the championship that afternoon, the game was decided by a penalty-kick shootout. After several agonizing, nerve shaking minutes of spot kicks the Bombers came out on top. In the championship, the team produced what senior captain Cameron Langdon considers one of the performances of the season to date: “ a real momentum builder,” he affirmed. For the first time in program history, the team came home with first place medals draped from their necks after dominating Stewartville. On Monday, September 30th, the team provided another standout performance when Waseca High School paid a visit, only to be sent home with a 3-1 loss, courtesy of resilient defending and efficient attacking from the Bombers across all 80 minutes. The second of three captains, Blake Hernke, opted to praise the team for their efforts against some of the top teams, claiming the gap in quality is closing.

Boasting ten seniors, four juniors, and just two underclassmen, this team is arguably the most experienced in program history, especially when considering that a substantial number of the players spend their springs and summers refining their skills by playing competitive club soccer through Hastings Futbol Club. Langdon stresses that the higher level of competition pushes players to their limits, ultimately helping them improve. “If you surround yourself with better competition it’ll help you get better,” he said. The extra work that many players have put in during the offseason have tremendously aided their development as players and Hernke claims it can help future players, who will one day put on the varsity uniform and represent their school at the highest level, be the athletes they undeniably have the potential to be.