Upcoming Soccer Season Fills Hellgate Team with Anticipation
The Hellgate High School soccer teams have kicked off their 2022 season with a bang, securing wins in their first four games against Flathead, Glacier, Butte, and Big Sky. This impressive start has been a team effort, with both the varsity girls and boys teams showcasing their skills and winning by significant margins.
In the girls' varsity team, Chaucer Larson, a Hellgate alum and the new head coach, has been leading the charge. Larson also takes on the role of teaching Spanish 1 and 2 at the school, demonstrating his commitment to the community. His coaching style emphasises community building, with practices starting with a group huddle and warmups as a full program.
One of the key players on the girls' varsity team is Kennedy Peterson, a junior. Peterson has noticed the intentionality from the new coaching staff and is hopeful for a successful season. Georgia Hanford, a freshman on JV, feels included and supported by the program, a testament to the welcoming atmosphere that the Hellgate soccer program fosters.
Over on the boys' side, the JV team is under the guidance of Fraser Horton. Horton focuses on developing the JV boys to meet varsity standards, ensuring a strong foundation for the future. Merci Busime, a freshman on varsity, thinks the season has been going well for both JV and varsity teams. Sebastian Sorenson, a junior on varsity, shares her optimism, expressing his hope for good team chemistry for the rest of the season.
The boys' varsity team is described as 'pretty much a brand-new team' with four returning varsity players. However, they are aiming high, with the ambition to win the state championship this year, adding another title to their eight existing ones. The most important game to watch is the cross-town game against Sentinel on Oct. 14.
The Hellgate soccer program values community and team bonding, and this is reflected in their scheduling. The Knights play their home games at the Rattlesnake fields, with girls varsity and boys JV playing simultaneously, and boys varsity and girls JV playing simultaneously. This arrangement encourages a sense of camaraderie and support among the players.
Despite the head coach of the boys' team not being publicly available, the spirit and determination of the players are evident. Owen Barr, a sophomore on JV, believes in improving team chemistry to improve performance, a sentiment shared by many within the program.
As the season progresses, the Hellgate soccer teams continue to work hard, striving for success both on and off the field. With their strong start and committed players, it's clear that this season is shaping up to be an exciting one.
