Warriors return offense while rebuilding defense

Last season the Brainerd Warriors won more games (12) than any time in program history and won a section playoff game for the first time.

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This fall the Warriors will start a new goalkeeper and three new defenders but they return skill up front.

"I really think we're going to score a lot of goals this year," Warriors coach Cahil Collins said. "I expect with the people that we have, the returning personnel, our big challenge is going to be on the defensive side.

"The only reason we wouldn't score as many goals as I hope to is because people will start helping a little bit more on defense. Some of the upperclassmen will see that, and they will know that's one of our weaker spots right now. Hopefully, we can get guys in place and get them comfortable in those positions."

Captains of the Brainerd Warrior boys' soccer team are Chris Nathan (left), Ethan Nichols and Jordan Posch. Brainerd Dispatch/Steve Kohls» Purchase reprints of this photo.

Boys' soccer

Head coach: Cahil Collins, fifth season

Career record: 40-21-8 (.656)

2008 finish: 9-3-1 CLC, 12-4-2 overall.

Captains: Chris Nathan, Ethan Nichols, Jordan Posch

Assistant coaches: David Devine

Schedule

Sept. 3, at Alexandria 7 p.m.

Sept. 8, at Sauk Rapids-Rice 5 p.m.

Sept. 10, St. Cloud Apollo 5 p.m.

Sept. 12, at Elk River 4 p.m.

Sept. 15, Little Falls 5 p.m.

Sept. 17, Sartell 5 p.m.

Sept. 19, at Bemidji 1 p.m.

Sept. 21, at St. Cloud Tech 7 p.m.

Sept. 22, Willmar 5 p.m.

Sept. 24, at Fergus Falls 7 p.m.

Sept. 29, Alexandria 5 p.m.

Oct. 1, Sauk Rapids-Rice 5 p.m.

Oct. 3, at Sartell 10 a.m.

Oct. 5, at St. Cloud Apollo 7 p.m.

Oct. 8, at Moorhead 5 p.m.

Oct. 10, Zimmerman 11 a.m.

Oct. 17, Section 8-2A quarterfinals

Oct. 20, Section semifinals

Oct. 23, Section final 5 p.m. at SCSU

On defense, the Warriors return a few players who saw action last year, including seniors Forrest McKenzie and Coyer Mackner.

"Coyer was plagued with injuries, and he's looking a lot better, so we have those two guys that can step in and will do a very nice job," Collins said.

Collins said juniors like Logan Rudstrom, Cam Swanson and Zach Dehning are in the running to play in the back row.

In goal, Collins said senior Matt Sather will start the season. Sather played two years ago but was hampered by a shoulder injury last fall.

"It was a tough call, and that could change as the year goes on, but right now we're going with Matt Sather," Collins said.

"(Junior) Matt Benson and sophomore) Thor Linnerooth are both showing some really good things. If something should happen to Matt Sather we have some people we can put in there that we have confidence in."

Collins said junior Zach Hoard may be moved from midfield to defense.

"Zach played last season, and started once in a while," Collins said. "He was in every single game. We might very likely be moving him back to defense to try and shore some things up there. We're trying to get some more experience back there."

The Warriors return senior midfielders Chris Nathan and and Ethan Nichols and senior forwards Jordan Posch and Jake Williams and junior forward Joe Nelson.

Nathan, who received all-state honorable mention last season, is out after suffering a broken bone in his foot in mid-August.

"Chris will be out, probably for sure, through the first week in September," Collins said. "It's one of those injuries where it isn't going to take him out of the sport but for right now he's got some healing to do. He's one of our captains. He's there watching and encouraging.

"Ethan is really stepping forward. We've seen some really good things out of him.

"Joe Nelson, Jordan Posch and Jake Williams are three people we will be looking to score a lot of goals, or at least to draw a lot of attention."

Former Warriors head coach David Devine returns this season as an assistant coach.

"The addition of David Devine as junior varsity coach, as far as from a program standpoint, that's huge," Collins said. "That's just huge, to have somebody with the soccer knowledge that he does come into the program. I think it's just a big win for the Brainerd boys' soccer program."

Warriors roster

Seniors: Fabio Camargo (M), Coyer Mackner (D), Forrest McKenzie (D), Chris Nathan (M), Ethan Nichols (M), Jordan Posch (F), Matt Sather (K), Adam Tagtmeier (M), Jake Williams (F)

Juniors: Matt Benson (K), Zach Hoard (D), Zach Meyer (M), Joe Nelson (F), Logan Rudstrom (D), Alex Ryan (M), Cam Swanson (D)

Sophomores: Tylor Bouchard (M), Zach Dehning (D), Wesley Delong (M), Thor Linnerooth (K), Nick Oldham (M)

MIKE BIALKA may be reached at mike.bialka@brainerddispatch.com or at 855-5861.