This past October saw the Chain of Lakes Soccer Club bring another, their 11th, season to a close. After a rough 10th season that saw the loss of several players to the new ROCORI School program, things have begun to turn around. This year 39 players from Kimball, EV-W, Paynesville, New London-Spicer and B-B-E turned out, allowing the club to field three different teams at times. In addition to the High School and Middle School teams, the club also fielded an elementary team for two games.
In addition to stronger numbers this season, the club was also able to find more competition, important in light of the Minnesota State High School League ruling that club teams were no longer allowed to play MSHSL teams. Road trips were made to Milaca, Cambridge, Willmar and Prinsburg. In addition, games were picked up with Stride Academy of St. Cloud, the Home School Association of the St. Cloud Area.
While both the High school and Middle School teams were young and inexperienced, translating to few victories, there were, nonetheless several highlights. The elementary team played two solid games against Cambridge, losing 3-1 at home and then a very disappointing 1-0 loss on the road, a game that the Roosters dominated.
The Middle School team defeated St. John?Äôs Prep in their first meeting 3-2 before losing 3-1 in the rematch. They also lost to Community Christian of Willmar in a wild 5-4 game, the most goals scored in a game this season. And then, on Oct. 6, they faced Stride Academy of St. Cloud, a team loaded with Somali boys who put on a real clinic for our team, winning 12-2. However, playing this team showed what good team soccer is all about, and the Roosters came away with visions of what can be.
The High School team started the season with a tie against Community Christian of Willmar, but after that found it hard to put the ball in the back of the net. Playing several teams with a lot more experience, they were able only to score four goals in eight games, the highlight being a 1-0 loss to the St. Cloud Area Home School Association team, in a game that the Roosters completely dominated but again could not score.
Leading the club in goals this fall was Julian Chavez (Paynesville) with 4, followed by Carl Blanchard (Kimball) with 3. Wyatt Schmidt (EV-W) scored 2, and Zach Karol (Paynesville), Jacob Lundquist (Paynesville), Branson Jensen (Kimball), Alex Ertl (EV-W), Hunter Jaynes (Paynesville), Cole Gasper (EV-W) and Jose Anaya (Paynesville) each scoring one goal.
Bradley Vanderpool runs with the ball during the Oct. 17 game against the St. Cloud Area Home School Association team. The Roosters dominated that game but just couldn?Äôt score. Staff photo by Jean Doran Matua.
The Roosters graduate three players this year, Lundquist, Erik Malling and Dalton Flugga, all of Paynesville. With the potential of 36 returning players next year, and the addition of new players, there should be no problem fielding solid high school and middle school teams, and the future of the club looks bright.
The Chain of Lakes Soccer Club will be sponsoring indoor soccer this winter for youth and adults (time and place to be determined). If interested please contact Ric Koehn at (320) 243-4594.
Julian Chavez of Paynesville dribbles the ball upfield with Dyani Acosta of EV-W behind him. Chavez led the club on the season with four goals. Staff photo by Jean Doran Matua.