Development key for young Hawks soccer team

Losing nine starters to graduation after one season could be a concern for most coaches.

After losing 14 seniors in 2013 and 11 more graduates last season, Shawano Community High School boys soccer coach Bob Croschere is confident in his team’s ability to bounce back.

The Hawks finished last season with a 6-10-1 overall record and placed fourth in the Bay Conference at 4-3.

Croschere knows it could be a rebuilding season, yet sees a young team with talented players who could cause trouble for opponents.

“I don’t think the age makes much of a difference because it is skill level that does it,” Croschere said. “Some of my younger players are highly skilled, so I think it works out.”

One of the strengths for SCHS is its depth. On offense and defense, the Hawks feel comfortable.

“I think we are going to have some depth,” Croschere said. “We will see what happens with that, but hopefully nobody goes down and gets injured. I think depth is going to be our strong suit right now.”

SCHS’s roster includes seven seniors, but with the talent level of the younger players, Croschere is not concerned with who will take the lead on the team.

“Leadership is leadership,” the ninth-year head coach said. “It doesn’t matter if it’s a senior or a freshman.”

Returning letter winners Jacob Dickmann, Mike Teeter and Tyler Buerman will have to play larger roles on the squad, helping everyone adjust to the varsity level.

Dickmann, one of the two returning starters, does not think it will be difficult for the team to reload.

“I mean, we lose seniors every year. You just have to adapt to it and try to get better,” Dickmann said.

Mike Teeter, the Hawks’ only other returning starter, knows the Hawks have a strong foundation on which to build a successful program for many years to come.

“We have some strong offensive and defensive players; we just have to develop the talent around them,” Teeter said.

Combining the young talent with returning players could put the Hawks in the mix for a Bay Conference championship.

“The goal every year is to win conference,” Teeter said.