With an experienced group back, the Webb City boys soccer team has the expectations set high this fall.
Webb City features eight returning starters and seven other players who saw varsity playing time on a team that won a district championship and advanced to the Class 3 quarterfinals.
“We are very excited for this season,” Webb City coach Nick Harmon said. “The boys have had a productive summer training window and certainly have high expectations going into the regular season. I expect to have an enjoyable season. This group is a lot of fun to work with, they have great attitudes and work well together. Many of them have grown up playing together, so the team environment feels like family.”
Webb City’s returning starters are seniors Luis Gallardo (MF), Jadon Brisco (D), Trevor Peterson (D), Joseph Wermuth (F) and Josh White (F), juniors Daniel Aguilar (D) and Kaulden Hood (F) and sophomore Diego Aldrete (D).
The team’s other returning varsity letterwinners are seniors Brendan Campbell (F) and Brayden Brockmiller (F), juniors Kade Weston (GK), Ryan White (MF), A.J. Pease (D) and Zander Powers (MF) and sophomore Hudson Spikereit (MF).
“The biggest strength of this squad is the depth that we have coming back,” Harmon said. “We have qualified and experienced players at every position, so we believe there will be competition for playing time in every role. This is something we’ve not always had in the past, and will definitely drive the team to work harder this season.”
Harmon is confident the Cardinals have the talent to put together a solid season.
“The keys to success are being mentally tough and focused on the task at hand,” Harmon said. “The game of soccer always comes with ups and downs. If last season taught us anything, it’s that we turned around one of the lowest points we’ve ever been at (a six-game losing streak) and ended up at one of the highest highs the program has ever experienced (a state quarterfinal appearance). If we can focus on what we can control and work our hardest, day in and day out, we will have success.”
In order to have success, the Cardinals must continue to make steady progress throughout the fall season, Harmon added.
“It’s a long season with a lot of games, particularly for high school athletes,” Harmon noted. “We have to stay motivated and sharp every day, especially as the season drags on and injuries begin to occur. It’s a big ask for teenagers to train at a high level every day in order to compete with the tough schedule that we have. But we have a great junior and senior class who we are confident will lead the team properly this season.”
Webb City went 13-12 overall last season, with a 3-6 mark in the always-tough Central Ozark Conference. After capturing a district title, the Cardinals ended the season with a 2-1 loss to Glendale in the quarterfinals of the Class 3 state tournament.
The Cardinals lost four key performers to graduation in Alex Flores (F), Felipe Perez (F), Connor Black (GK) and Isaac Wade (F).
Webb City hosts Carl Junction at 6:30 on Aug. 29 in the ’23 opener.
