Stayton defeated the Huskies 14-0 in boys soccer Sept. 11 in Stayton.
“We’re still pretty green,” said Coach Eric Stutzer. “I think there’s a lot of inexperience there.”
About 60 percent of the Husky boys had no experience or hadn’t touched a soccer ball since third grade at the beginning of the season, he said.
“It makes a big difference from a tactical standpoint.”
Stayton was ranked No. 1 in the state at game time. That lasted until Woodburn beat Stayton, which is now ranked second, while Woodburn is ranked third. Stayton also finished as runner-up in the 4A championship games the past two years.
“They’re a good program,” Stutzer said. “They’re well-coached. They’re deep in every position.”
Sweet Home is still on a long learning curve, he said. The Huskies tried a new system, with three forwards, three mids and four defenders, against Stayton trying to increase offensive pressure, but “it miserably failed,” Stutzer said.
“That type of system is not going to work for us.”
The team has to be able to feed the ball to the offense, he said. He is planning to move quicker players like Bradley Wolthuis and Zach Luttmer back to defense and put Austin Parrish in the middle to improve control.
Against Stayton, the Huskies gave up 10 goals in the first half, Stutzer said. After adjustments, they made some good improvement, allowing just four goals in the second half and getting a few looks at the goal.
Keeper Tristan Calkins, who is playing soccer and goalie for the first time this season, had some difficulty playing his first game in the rain as well, Stutzer said.
The Huskies (0-3, 0-4) were scheduled to travel to Cascade (0-3, 0-5) Tuesday and host Sisters (1-2-1, 1-4-1) at 6:30 p.m. on Thursday. They’ll host Newport (2-1, 3-2) at 6:30 p.m. next Tuesday.
Stutzer is optimistic about that part of their schedule. Cascade is closer to Sweet Home’s ability, and the Huskies could keep up with Sisters.
Newport has scored just seven goals and given up seven goals so far this season. Sweet Home may find a chance against Newport as well.
“Confidence is going to be the biggest thing,” Stutzer said, adding that his team keeps fighting in the face of tough odds.
“They could’ve come out and given up at halftime.”
But the Huskies showed improvement in the second half of last week’s game, instead, Stutzer said, and while other teams often pull back their attack, Stayton kept going right up the gut at Sweet Home all game long.