High School Soccer Season Kicks Off This Weekend

With summer clinging to its last few weeks in 2015, high school athletes are gearing up for the beginning of the new school year.

In fact, Rapid City Stevens will open the boy’s soccer season Saturday against St. Thomas More.

The Raiders finished 10-2-1 last year and lost to Sioux Falls Roosevelt in the semifinal round of the State AA playoffs.

The Raiders lost eight players to graduation.

But second year head coach Jacob Meyer says several underclassmen will help carry the load this year.

Jacob Meyer says, “The underclassmen from last year have really stepped up. Blown away our expectations of the coaching staff. And the team chemistry that goes along with that. The seniors and captains are starting a climate and environment that true teams should be about.”

Overall the Raiders had a total of 66 goals and 33 assists last season, while maintaining a strong defense that allowed only eight goals.

Coach Meyer is hoping for the same type of results this year despite have a new goal keeper, 6 foot 4 junior Nick Schmidt.

Coach Meyer says, “With an amazing defense anchored by three seniors and a sophomore. All very experienced players, very technical, very fast. When Nick is needed. The few times he will be needed, I think he'll come up big for us.”

Stevens central defender Brandon Kruse says, “We're going to have to do a lot of teamwork because we're not the biggest team in the state. But we can change that with technical ability and how smart we play.”    

Stevens will play St. Thomas More on Saturday in soccer with the girl’s varsity game at 11 a.m. followed by the boy’s varsity game at 1 p.m. at Sioux Park.