Group of young talent key to the future of Houston soccer

HOUSTON - The Houston High School boys soccer squad has always been the under dogs.

The Hawks have always been the team that scrapes together a full team, luring players from the Houston football, hockey and basketball teams to fill out the roster. They've always been the team that doesn't draw many athletes who have a great deal of experience in soccer. And Houston seems to always be the team concentrating on stopping goals, rather than scoring them.

But these trends look to be changing.

This season, Houston has a young nucleus of talent with soccer experience. They have lured talented Houston athletes from other sports, but they are fitting into head coach Chad Rice's game plan. And with an improved flock of talent, the Hawks can now take the field with a more aggressive game plan. The Hawks will also have a junior varsity team for the first time during Rice's tenure at HHS.

&#8220The talent pool is growing, and there's a great opportunity, great possibility for success,” Rice said Monday. &#8220This is the first time in six years we have more than one or two freshman with experience.”

Rice said he is seeing the popularity of the sport grow in the Houston area. The days of the experienced soccer players only attending schools south of the Big Lake cutoff could be over.

This season, Rice said, there are six or seven freshmen on the Houston roster with significant experience in soccer. Those players are already playing major roles in the Houston scheme.

Freshmen such as Jordan Cole and Randy Schafer have already earned spots in the starting lineup. Freshman Theng Vang may have played his way into a starting role after his performance in the Hawks' season opener against Seward on Saturday.

&#8220I was surprised by Theng Vang. He's super quick. An amazing show for his debut,” Rice said.

To compliment Houston's youth is a small, but important, group of veterans.

Rice said Dennis Welburn is a player that will factor heavily into Houston's success, and Matt Gardner is one of Houston's strongest forwards.

Senior Henry Orth is Houston's starting goalkeeper.

&#8220He's doing a great job for us,” Rice said. &#8220He made some phenomenal saves against Seward.”

A key player in the midfield, Rice said, is Kaden Shumway.

With more talent, Rice said the Hawks will have a slightly different strategy. Rather than playing with four players near their own net, Rice said the Hawks use a fourth player in the midfield. Rice said he also won't have to concentrate as much on basic skills.

Houston opened with a 2-0 loss to the Seahawks, a game Rice said the Hawks could have easily won with a full roster. On Wednesday, the Hawks travel to Palmer to face the Moose at 6 p.m. at Machetanz Field. On Friday Houston hosts Kenai.

The Houston girls will also have a roster full of young players. Ten of their 15 players are underclassmen.

There are four seniors on the squad - Kendall Cole, Nori Dixon, Kristan England and Lisbet Norris.

The Hawks narrowly loss their first game of the season, falling 4-3 to Seward on Saturday. Norris, freshman Tiffany Johnston and freshman Kacey Newman all scored for the Hawks.

The Houston girls also face Palmer and Kenai in the next week.

The Hawks travel to Machetanz to play the 2-0-2 Moose at 4 p.m. on Wednesday.

Houston hosts Kenai at 4 p.m. on Friday at Houston High School