Hermantown head coach David Thompson, DuluthTimes.com’s unanimous pick as 2022 Section 7A Boys Soccer Preseason Coach of the Year, isn’t sure what to expect from his mostly upperclassmen team, which features one of the best junior groups in northeastern Minnesota.
The 20-year Hawks coach will know a lot more about his team following Thursday’s 1 p.m. season and home opener against nonconference Benilde-St. Margaret’s, one of Minnesota’s elite 1A teams.
“Usually coming into a season I have question marks about positioning, but this year we’ve been able to plug a round peg into every round hole on the field,” said Thompson.
The Hawks are already comfortable in their individual roles, Thompson said, and the challenge is always to develop into a well-oiled team.
“We’ve kept it to a small roster, which is the way kids like to play by not having to come off the field,” said Thompson. “We’ll look like a traditional soccer team with guys playing long minutes.
“We’re strong in the midfield, and our offense game is strong. Our two senior captains in the midfield are Kade Kohanski and Riley Arro. Nathan Hill is an elite junior attacker. Sterling Trok is a returning senior netminder, and our back defensive line is all seniors.”
Thompson said he can’t remember in his first 20 years as coach enjoying a first week of practice more than this fall.
“It’s also been a year where we didn’t have to cut anybody, which is always stressful for me,” said Thompson, a Hermantown Community Schools guidance counselor. “The kids are comfortable with each other, Everyone has worked hard, even when they realized they weren’t getting cut. Sometimes you build a positive culture, but it’s already there with this year’s group.”
The Hawks will travel to Mesabi East on Friday.
“Our goal is to win the Lake Superior Conference and Section 7A,” said Thompson. “Denfeld, Duluth East, Duluth Marshall and Cloquet, they’re all outstanding local programs.”