ALEXANDRIA — The Alexandria boys soccer program had one of the deepest senior classes in the team’s recent history during the 2021 season, and that means the Cardinals will have a new look around the field this coming fall.
Alexandria graduated 13 seniors this past spring in Alex Greseth, Andrew Swedberg, Benjamin Borden, Bjorn Karlstad, Colin Reilly, Holden Hansen, Myles and Peter Sansted, goalie Ryan Meuwissen, Samuel Peterson, Taeren Peterson, Thomas Klecker and Tyler Bright.
This group led the Cardinals to a 13-2-3 overall record. Reilly (defense), Meuwissen and Klecker (midfielder) all made all-state teams at the Class AA level. Those are big shoes to fill as the Cardinals try to remain competitive with a new group of athletes.
“We have many new players joining the varsity roster this year,” said head coach Brandon Johnson. “The depth of athleticism is probably the strongest we’ve ever had. With key returning players making up a strong skeleton and well-balanced new players helping our team find a new shape, we are set to do some damage in the CLC and 8AA.”
Grayson Grove, Bryce Paffrath, Cole Haabala, Jack Carlson, Joaquim Ramos, Otto Anderson, and Sam Faber form a good nucleus of returning players with varsity experience. Johnson likes the balance of the roster and said soccer IQ and athleticism are strengths of this team.
Some of the concerns Johnson might have had coming into the season were alleviated during the early stages of practice.
“A refresh in the roster had me wondering about the culture and ability of our new team this season,” Johnson said. “After our first week together, it is clear that we have some key players who will be able to help push Alexandria to the top of the conference and section once again this year. The depth of our program continues to push our program to be a formidable opponent.”
Johnson said continuing to build that culture with a new group will be an area this team will keep working on as the season progresses.
The Cardinals finished in second place behind Willmar (18-2, 12-0 CLC in 2021) in the Central Lakes Conference last fall. St. Cloud Tech won the Section 8AA championship by beating Rocori in a 1-0 game in the finals.
Johnson believes in this new group of athletes for the Cardinals and their ability to be competitive with the top teams again in both fields.
“Culture will be a strong area of growth for us,” Johnson said. “With a new group coming in and a strong crew returning, we will need to get chemistry working on the pitch. This is a great group of young men who are committed to bringing their best on the pitch every day. Shaping up to be a pretty great season.”
2022 ALEXANDRIA BOYS VARSITY SOCCER
SENIORS – Nic Borden, goalie; Jack Breitzman, Dylan Kraker, Bryce Paffrath, Jack Carlson, Tripp Shatek, Hunter Bollman, Erik Reineke, Henry Ramstorf, Dylan Hendricks, Samuel Faber; JUNIORS – Grayson Grove, goalie; Joaquim Ramos, Cole Haabala, Jestin Masteller, Samuel Diaz; SOPHOMORE – Otto Anderson; FRESHMAN – Julian Ramos
COACHES – Head coach – Brandon Johnson – 4th season as head coach, 22-19-5; Assistant coaches – Cahill Collins, Sean Foster, Ben Schreiber, Phil Pham
ALEXANDRIA BOYS SOCCER SCHEDULE
Aug. 30 vs. Fergus Falls, 7 p.m
Sept. 1 vs. Rocori, 7 p.m
Sept. 6 at St. Cloud Apollo, 5:30 p.m
Sept. 8 at St. Cloud Tech, 7 p.m
Sept. 10 at Detroit Lakes, 1 p.m
Sept. 12 vs. Sartell, 7 p.m
Sept. 13 at Willmar, 7 p.m
Sept. 15 vs. Sauk Rapids-Rice, 7 p.m
Sept. 19 vs St. Cloud Cathedral, 7 p.m
Sept. 20 at East Grand Forks, 7 p.m
Sept. 22 at Brainerd, 7 p.m
Sept. 29 vs St. Cloud Apollo, 7 p.m
October 3 vs. Little Falls, TBD
October 4 vs St. Cloud Tech, 7 p.m
October 6 at Sartell, 5 p.m