Last spring was tough for the Bulldogs soccer program, which recorded only one win in 20 matches for Head Coach Andrew Post, who has also coached the Lady Bulldogs for the past several seasons. But 2018 is a new year and there is also a new head coach for the GHS boys.
Lukas Shoemaker was an assistant coach with the very successful Siloam Springs soccer program, and has now been given the chance to test his mettle as the Top Dog at Greenwood, and he’s excited about the start of this season and the beginning of his head coaching career.
Why the optimism from the first-year head coach? The Bulldogs have nine players returning who started at least one game last year, so there is a solid base of experience to draw upon.
“Junior goalkeeper Kenny Sweeney has started several games in his career and is very solid in the back,” said Shoemaker. “Seniors Kade Orlicek and Federico Dal Bon are two of our most physical and talented defenders, and we will rely heavily on their leadership.”
Greenwood junior Ramiro Morales will anchor midfield for the Bulldogs.
“Ramiro is our most skilled player with the ball on his feet,” said the coach. “Last year he started on the back line, but his skill and ball distribution will help us generate an attack while also using his [defensive] abilities to stop attacks at his holding mid position.”
Seniors Max Bailey, Chris Pierce, and Wyatt Manes all will rotate at forward, said the coach. “They all bring something a little different to the table, and we will look for them when generating our attack.”
For the Greenwood boys, the key to success this season is to play well early.
“It sounds cliché, but we need to be competitive early on this season,” explained Shoemaker. “Last season was a difficult year in terms of wins and losses (1-18-1). It will be important for us to come out aggressively and compete in games against some tough competition.
“Being competitive early on will help build confidence to carry us down the home stretch.”
Despite last spring’s disappointing results, the GHS boys’ soccer program is just three seasons removed from playing in the state championship match, losing 1-0 in overtime to Russellville in 2014.
The Bulldogs also started the 2018 campaign last week, dropping a pair of close matches to Cossatot River of Cove, Arkansas (3-2) and to Holland Hall of Tulsa, Oklahoma (2-0).
The ‘Dogs hosted Van Buren this past Tuesday night at Smith-Robinson Stadium, but results were not available at press time. They will play at Fayetteville on Thursday and in Oklahoma City on Friday before hosting Poteau (OK) next Tuesday and Conway next Thursday.