MFL MarMac Boys Soccer Preview: Bulldogs will prioritize possession, trust, having fun
The MFL MarMac boys soccer team includes (front, left to right) Blake Roe, Brent Roe, Ashton Phillips, Wolfgang Martins-Saboria, Tim Ames, Tristan Hoopes, John Martins-Saboria; (back) Eli Hanson, Kynnick Corlett, Bryce Jones, Carsten Pester, Carter Lightfoot, Brady Welsh, Parker Kuehl, Kyler Nuehring, Dayne Kohrs, Kaleb Nuehring, Cael Lightfoot and Noah Troester. Not pictured are Braxton Halverson and Payton Schultz. (Photo by Audrey Posten)
By Audrey Posten | Times-Register
Coaches Jessica and Erik Peterson hope a willingness to learn, trust in one another and having fun will lead to wins for the MFL MarMac boys soccer team this season—their second as a program.
“Last year was a learning curve for the boys,” Jessica acknowledged. “We started off last season saying we have a lot of athletes out, players who are out for other sports, but they haven’t played soccer. Starting this season, we’ve got quite a few of the boys back. That returning knowledge will be huge because we started out with so little soccer knowledge.”
“And we’re looking to build off that,” Erik added.
The Bulldogs return 10 players from a year ago, including seniors Parker Kuehl, Tim Ames and John Martins-Saboria; juniors Eli Hanson, Kynnick Corlett, Braxton Halverson, Brent Roe, Dayne Kohrs and Wolfgang Martins-Saboria; and sophomore Bryce Jones.
They’ll be joined by 11 newcomers or freshmen that “have a lot of talent,” according to Erik.
He stressed that no one is set in stone anywhere on the field.
“Every kid will be earning their spot,” he said. “We’re a team. It takes all 11. Everybody plays an important role.”
One important role MFL MarMac will need to fill is goalie, with the graduation of senior Izayah Streicher, who came into the inaugural season with soccer experience.
“That was a big ask out of them this year when they showed up. Who’s going to be willing to step up and learn goalie?” Jessica shared.
The coaches noted many of the players play other sports together. While soccer is a different game, they stress that athletes can still translate the communication and trust they’ve built together in other sports onto the soccer pitch.
“A lot of them are good friends,” Erik said. “You play basketball with them, you play football with them. You’re a cohesive unit. Now, have the faith in them here and that will really build to some success.”
Along with that trust, the Petersons are prioritizing possession. They break down film with the players, helping them recognize scoring opportunities.
“It’s understanding that soccer is a game of possession,” Jessica explained. “Yes, scoring goals and winning games is a goal, but it’s that possession on the field and getting that touch of the ball. Building that possession up the field gets more shots on goals, to create those scenarios where we can capitalize.”
“So many times last year, our potential opportunities were kicking the ball up the field to our forwards who are fast. That can work for a goal here and there,” she continued. “But you have to build that possession up the field so we have more shots and some wins this year.”
Jessica hopes to balance that learning with fun.
“We’ll try to keep building so they want to keep working and getting better, so we can see more success,” she said.
Erik is already seeing the effects. Participation is strong at the high school level, and MFL MarMac’s youth soccer numbers have skyrocketed.
“Success will encourage more kids to come out,” he said. “Hopefully, with having fun and trusting each other will come winning.”
The Bulldogs will take the field for the first time this season on Thursday, April 3, at West Delaware.
