Coach Ryan Regrutto is working on the Huskies’ mental game as he takes over the boys high school soccer program.
The program has 25 players out, he said. If he can get three more, and the team is still open to it, he could run a junior varsity team this year.
Everyone who has been coming out to practices has been working hard, Regrutto said. The team’s lineup isn’t set yet, depending on those who have been making all the practices
The team’s lineup and positions will change as those who have missed practices or gone out for soccer late start catching up to the team, Regrutto said.
“The hardest part for me is I have no idea what the other schools look like,” said Regrutto, a former Division I college and semi-pro player who took over the team this season. So he is working on establishing a basic defensive strategy.
“We can build off of that,” he said. Once the Huskies start getting an idea what the competition is like, they can start refining their strategies.
“The kids have been working really hard at learning the new strategies,” he said.
Tentatively, Regrutto is putting Dakota Snow on the field instead of the goal where he was at last year.
Snow is an athlete, Regrutto said, and he can be useful on the field.
Bryce Roberts has done well as goalkeeper, Regrutto said, so he’ll play goal at this point.
Robert Rubidoux will play defense, Regrutto said. He works well with the younger players and is a positive person.
Antonio Ramirez, a junior from Albany, and Erik Garcia are tentatively assigned to the midfield.
“As a whole, we’ve got a lot of good, hard-working kids in the middle,” Regrutto said.
Chris Carpenter will play out front, Regrutto said. “I think he’s really ready to go and wants to score.”
The team also includes Jarid Adams, Parke Young, Taran Tyler, Ole Olsen, Kyle Winslow, Bret Adams, Dakota Snow, Mykle Riggle, Drayson Scott, Justin Webb, Austin Yoder, Kyle Van Deusen, Wyatt Hayes, Kyle Rose, Mat Pitts, John Trahan III, Nene Mauer, Raul Hernandez and Michael Tolle.
Regrutto is assisted by Eric Stutzer.
The key to preparing is repetition, Regrutto said. “You just have to do it so much, your body knows how to do it. I think as the season progresses, we’ll just get better and better.”
That’s provided that the team is mentally positive and confident, he said.
“We’re trying to really push being really positive. Soccer is a big confidence game.”
As a team the boys have gelled, Regrutto said, and now they need to bring confidence to the field.
“They are excited,” he said. Good early performances will help build the confidence to maintain the excitement and the mental game, which is one of the biggest factors affecting soccer players.
“The greatest players I’ve ever seen in the world go out with an aura of confidence,” Regrutto said. They know the plays will happen, especially after repeating their motions constantly.
Many teams don’t do as well as they should while others do better than they should, he said, and that’s typically a measure of confidence and the mental part of the game.
He urges the community to come out and support the Huskies on the soccer field.
“I’m excited about it, and I’m glad to be involved in this program,” Regrutto said. “It’s something the community can be proud of.”
Soccer players are, in front from left, Jarid Adams, Parke Young, Taran Tyler, Erik Garcia, Ole Olsen, Bryce Roberts, Kyle Winslow, Robert Rubidoux, Bret Adams, Dakota Snow, Mykle Riggle, Drason Scott and Justin Webb. In back are Coach Ryan Regrutto, Austin Yoder, Kory Van Deusen, Wyatt Hayes, Kyle Rose, Mat Pitts, John Trahan III, Antonio Ramirez, Nene Mauer, Raule Hernandez, Michael Tolle and Assistant Coach Eric Stutzer. Not pictured is Chris Carpenter.