By David Paulsen
SPORTS CORRESPONDENT
After finishing fifth in the Southern Lakes Conference one year ago, the Burlington High School boys soccer team hopes to finish considerably higher this fall.
“We always believe we can win the conference and this year is no exception,” head coach Phil Molitor said. “If we finish in the top three that would be acceptable.”
The Demon boys have nine returning letterwinners off last year’s 7-12 squad (5-4 in the SLC).
Molitor expects seniors Alex Kruk, Irvin Jimenez, Hansen Olsen, and Riley and Ryan Trimberger to contribute much to the team.
Olsen and Jimenez are two offensive starters, while Kruk and Riley Trimberger will start at midfield. Ryan Trimberger will start on defense.
Christian Pompa and Michael Pena are juniors who return to the squad.
“Christian will be counted on as my starting goalkeeper, and Michael will start in the central midfield and will drive our team,” Molitor said.
The other two returning letterwinners are sophomores Kolin Schuermann and Erick Carrasco. Schuermann is a forward and should provide some scoring punch, while Carrasco will start as a wing defender who will look to go to forward.
Newcomers include Evan Ustianowski and Chad Aydelotte, two players who have played for Molitor in past seasons. Both are seniors and should add to the team’s overall defensive strength.
Junior Mirande and Jose Montez are seniors who are new to the squad.
“Both are exciting, physical players who will be counted on at various times throughout the season,” Molitor said.
Juniors who are newcomers to the team are Luis Jimenez, Bryan Hansen, Christian Jimenez and Colton Gould.
“Bryan and Christian will anchor the center of our defense, Luis will add strength and versatility at the central midfield position, and Colton will add more scoring punch and speed to our forwards,” Molitor added.
Sophomore Jose Rodriguez rounds out the squad.
“Jose is a skilled player who sees the field well and will add to our midfield strength,” Molitor said.
Strong midfield play and goalkeeping are what Molitor sees as the team’s strengths, as well as overall team speed.
In addition, Molitor believes that the team’s defense is much further along this fall than one year ago.
“(It) will be an area we will continue to work on throughout the year,” Molitor added.
Lake Geneva Badger, Elkhorn and Delavan-Darien will be the biggest challenges for the Demons.
Besides finishing in the two three places in the SLC, Molitor would like to see the team win two or three post-season games.
Practices began August 12 with two-a-day tryouts. Since then, improvements have been taking place in all aspects of the sport.
“We have stressed fitness, mental aspects of the game, and the implementation of a new formation, as well as good technical skills with the ball,” Molitor said. “We always stress team play and possession of the ball.”
Molitor added that the players have worked hard in the off-season and he can see real improvement in their level of play. The team also benefited from the help of a college coach.
“We were fortunate to have Coach Tony Guinn of the University of Wisconsin-Whitewater run a camp this summer, and that has also added much skill and knowledge to the boys,” Molitor said.
Molitor is assisted by his son, Joel, who coaches the girls squad in the spring. This is Joel’s third year as Phil’s assistant.
Kevin Schuerman, Ricki Pompa and Taylor Molitor all are in their first year as assistant coaches. Ryan Cardinal is in his third year as the goalkeeper’s coach.
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