PENDLETON — The Pendleton Heights boys soccer team took a step back last season, struggling to a 5-11-1 season, which ended in an embarrassing 9-0 loss to Hamilton Southeastern in sectional play.
But with a large group of seniors and deep roster full of young talent, coach Kyle Davy is optimistic 2017 could represent a turnaround for the Arabians.
“Last year, we were a young team,” Davy said. “Some of our freshmen got in there and got some playing time. The way we’re looking at it this year, we may have two or three sophomores in the starting lineup.”
Davy said the talented youngsters will push the dozen seniors, making the Arabians a better team in 2017.
“We’re young, but those sophomores will elevate our play,” he said. “That’s what’s fun about the preseason training — they’re pushing the upperclassmen. It’s real competitive.”
Davy said with 12 seniors this season, there’s no shortage of leadership, and it comes in all forms.
“That’s one thing we’ve preached all offseason is stepping up and being a leader,” he said. “You don’t have to have a captain’s band to be a leader. It’s going to be huge for these guys to step up and find whatever their way is to be a leader; whatever that role is, find it and stick to it.”
One of those seniors is Thomas Quiroga, one of the team’s leading scorers from last season. A three-sport athlete, Quiroga brings plenty of athletic ability to the pitch.
“He’s so fast,” Davy said. “It’s tough for people to guard and defend him. He could break out and score three goals in a game at any moment.”
Drew DeLey is a former goalkeeper, who changed positions in high school becasue of his athleticism. Davy believes DeLey will bounce back after an off year in 2016.
“Last year he had a little bit of a down year; but we’re expecting big things this year,” Davy said. “At a showcase we played a couple weeks ago, he scored or assisted on almost every goal we scored. He’s going to be a huge part of our offense.”
Andrew Oracheff is a senior who Davy expects to be a leader of the Arabians’ defensive back line in 2017.
Senior Andrew Clemons will be the goalkeeper, with junior Ethan Hunt backing him up.
Junior Abe Bohlson and sophomores Connor Hendrickson, Daniel Acker and Kai Moore are players also expected to contribute. Davy has been especially impressed with the offensive play of Moore this offseason.
“He’s stepped up this summer and has a couple header goals,” Davy said. “He’s one of the smaller guys on the field, but he’s able to get in the air above everyone else and get the ball in the goal. He’s an interesting piece going forward.”
The 2017 season began Tuesday, Aug. 15 (after press time), against the same team that ended the PHHS season last year, Hamilton Southeastern. Davy said this team had motivation to show the 9-0 loss in sectional was a fluke and that this edition of the Arabian soccer team has improved.
“They’re ready to come out and prove that they’re a lot better than they were last year,” Davy said.
