As the reigning 1A state champions, the Orono Varsity boy’s soccer team ended their regular season undefeated with a record of 12-0-4. What was thought to be a rebuilding year ended up being very successful. They finished their season with a tough but well played game against Willmar in the section final.
After graduating 12 seniors last year, the team was worried about what this season would bring. Senior captain Connor Hasselman is proud of how the team has adjusted.
“The younger players are filling the open spots nicely; the underclassmen are definitely pulling their weight on the team. I’m glad to see that this season’s success is sort of mimicking last year’s,” said Hasselman.
The younger players have made an impact on the team this year. During the regular season there was only one freshman on the team, Reece Clifford. Clifford started off the season on the bench, but worked his way up to a starting spot on the team.
“Clifford is a great player – he plays with a heart of gold,” senior goalie Jesse Bissen said.
This season has been a lot of fun for the players and fans. Players agree that their game against The Blake School was the most interesting of the season. During the game, it was pouring rain and around 40 degrees Fahrenheit the whole time, but Minnesota High School League rules state that if it’s raining, but there is no lightning, the game goes on. Even though the weather was miserable, it still made for a fun and interesting game for the players. The team ended the game tieing the Bears 1-1.
“It was so cold standing in the goal the whole time, I’m pretty sure I was shivering until the next day,” Bissen said.
Another exciting game was their game against Benilde-St. Margaret’s. The Red Knights’ boys soccer team also has one of the best teams in the state, so it was impressive that Orono beat them.
“The Benilde game was really exciting because we beat them and last year they were the only team we lost to,” Hasselman said.
Team bonding is very important to the team; they are a family. They hang out as a team, have snack breaks together, have team sleepovers, and get hyped before games together.
“I love being a part of another family in addition to my own and getting to see my teammates everyday,” senior captain Brandon Hunt said. Hunt is proud of how his team has become so close throughout the season.
“My favorite part about being on the team is our team relationship because it’s like no other sport. We are all really close and there is nothing like an intense night game under the lights with a rowdy student section,” junior Spencer Overturf said.
During their team sleepover, the team met up with the girl’s soccer team and both teams enjoyed their time together.
“Doing a dare night with the girl’s team was a really good team bonding experience for both teams,” said Hasselman.
Also during their team sleepover, the majority of the team bleached their hair and/or cut it or shaved parts of it off. You’ll even see a few soccer boys around with major mohawks.
“Bleaching our hair or cutting it strangely around the time of sections has been a tradition for many years-you can definitely tell who’s on the boy’s soccer team in the hallways,” said Bissen.
The boy’s soccer team had a fantastic season and definitely gave their all. The team and fans thank the seniors for their hard work over the years and look forward to continued success in the seasons to come.
