Houston boys, girls focused on building programs

HOUSTON — When the Houston Hawks look back on the 2010 season, they want to remember it as the year the foundations for the boys and girls soccer programs were built.

Both squads are young and inexperienced. But the Hawks boys return after a season of no soccer and the girls are back on the field with a larger roster than before.

“We’re trying to build a program at this point,” Houston girls coach Wendy Dodge said. “The girls know that.”

Dodge, who leads the team alongside co-coach Ella-Kate Mickelson, said there are 15 players on the 2010 roster, a nice improvement from the 11 on the squad last year. Five players on the squad saw action last season.

“We’re really happy with what we have this year,” Dodge said. “There’s a lot of athleticism.”

Leading the squad is senior captain Amy Orth and junior captain Savannah Ritter. Orth will play in the outside midfield, while Ritter will be the team’s sweeper.

Junior Sarah Harker, sophomore Paige Wagner and Kassidy Kuhn also return. Harker will help on defense, Wagner will play at offensive center midfield and Kuhn will be on the outside when she returns from an injury.

Dodge said Wagner is among the young players Houston can build around.

“She’s got speed and some power for sure,” Dodge said.

Houston has two goalkeepers, senior Amber Madrid and sophomore Katie Champ, who will split time in the Hawk net.

Ritter has played competitive soccer outside of Houston High, and that experience will help the Hawks, Dodge said. The Houston boys have two comp soccer veterans — Travis Patterson and Josh Bowman — which is somewhat of a rarity for HHS.

“It’s good to have that experience,” Houston boys head coach Colton Conner said. “It’s huge. Houston hasn’t seen a comp kid in probably eight, nine years.”

Like Dodge, Conner’s goal is to build a quality soccer program at Houston High. The first-year coach is a 2004 Houston graduate and former multi-sport athlete with the Hawks. He understands the struggles of competing for a school with a small student body.

“I’m really excited about the future of Houston soccer,” Conner said. “It’s been nine, 10 years since they’ve had a competitive program.”

Conner said he won’t be fixated on Houston’s record.

“The goal this year is to come out in every game and give every team a run for their money,” Conner said. “If it’s 15-0, 1-0 or 1-1, I want to know we did everything we could.”

Patterson and Bowman, the two players with competitive soccer experience, will be among Houston’s leaders, Conner said. Senior Josh Anderson is also in that group.

“He’s a real good leader and knows the game really well,” Conner said.

Conner is also excited about the work of first-year goalkeeper Andy Goeke.

“He’s a natural athlete,” Conner said.

The Hawks are scheduled to open their season Friday, hosting the Nikiski Bulldogs at Houston High. On Monday afternoon, Dodge said field conditions still were not ideal. If the matches are played, the girls will meet at 4:30 p.m. and the boys will play at 6 p.m.

Contact Frontiersman sports editor Jeremiah Bartz at sports@frontiersman.com.