HODGDON, Maine — Last year, the Hodgdon boys soccer team qualified for the postseason for the first time in 12 years. And although the Hawks suffered a first-round loss, the team under coach Rob Smith is eager to get back.
Smith, who is embarking on his second consecutive season (and third overall) coaching the boys soccer team, is cautiously optimistic as the season opens.
“We want to build on where we left off last year,” coach Smith said. “We made it to the playoffs for the first time in 12 years and want to keep the streak of making the playoffs going. We have a strong returning core that is starting their second year with me. They know what I expect from them as individuals and as a team.”
The Hawks finished 6-8 during the regular season, earning the No. 14 seed. In a preliminary playoff, Hodgdon fell 6-0 to Ashland.
“We have our athletes goals and my goal is to challenge each athlete to meet those goals as an individual and as a team,” Smith said. “Win or lose I want to make sure that our athletes learn the game and the fundamentals and for them to give their team all they have in each game, win or lose.”
Returning players for Hodgdon are seniors Jordyn Merritt, Daden Palmer and Kyle Tidd; juniors Wyatt Foster, Dylan Oliver, Bobby Ramsey, Nick Sherman and Dalton Wilde; and sophomores Dylan Jurson and Josh Palmer.
New players are senior Dillan Buzzell, who returns after taking a year off from soccer, and Noah Nash; sophomore Jesse Fredrick; and freshmen Aaron Brooker, Josh Foster, Lucas Ramsey, Dameon Sanders, Michael Sanders, Hunter Tapley and Seth Tapley.
The Hawks’ strength will be the team’s depth, Smith said.
“Last year, we only had two subs and this year there could be up to nine subs waiting to spell our starters,” he said. “We return four of our top five leading scorers this year and add a few freshmen that led the middle school team in scoring. We have more depth at the keeper position and with that I am able to play certain guys depending on certain situations in goal.”
Coach Smith said he plans to focus on improving the team’s defense, with a goal of allowing two goals or less in each game this season.
“Our defense will need to work on communication and containing their man. I am always talking about touches,” he said. “This is something we work on in every practice. Taking advantage of corner kicks. We did not focus on those much last year in practice and this year we will work on that more in practice and hopefully see more success on corner kicks in games.”
The Hawks lost Jimmy Buzzell, Blake Woods and Dakota Brown to graduation. Buzzell played mostly striker, but also saw some time as the goalie. He had 26 goals last year to lead the team. Woods saw most of his time as the goalie but also some time at sweeper. Brown came off the bench at halfback and fullback.
The Hawk open their season Tuesday, Sept. 6, 2016 at 3:30 p.m. on the road against East Grand.
