News
Sports
Roaring Fork's boys soccer program made significant strides under coach John Ackerman in 2008.
In 2009, the Rams will see if they can build on last year's 6-6-3 record and playoff showing.
“Given what we saw in the fall and how our spring club season went, I think expectations are high,” Ackerman said. “We're setting pretty good goals for ourselves.”
A return to the playoffs isn't out of the question in a 3A Western Slope League that last season was pretty even after the top two teams — eventual state champion Hotchkiss and Basalt.
Bolstering the Rams' cause is a big turnout. More than 30 players are out for soccer, the most so far under Ackerman's watch.
“We're finally to the point where we have enough players to field a [full] junior varsity and varsity team,” Ackerman said.
In the past, Roaring Fork has had several players suiting up for both varsity and JV games. That won't be as necessary in 2009.
Leading the numbers-blessed Rams will be players like senior Wylie Adams and junior Dalton Handy. Both are captains.
Also back are goalkeeper Anthony Flores and Logan Doherty. Both are seniors.
“It's going to be an interesting season,” Ackerman said. “I'm excited about it.”
Titans hope to parlay potential into wins
The storyline is all too familiar to Coal Ridge coach Brian Blair.
His Titans enter the season with high hopes and then, as the losses mount, his team winds up wondering what could have been.
The high hopes are there again in 2009, but Blair is aiming for a different ending.
“I think we can be a playoff team,” Blair said. “That means we have to play well game in and game out, not just in flashes.”
Seniors Nick Kneedler, Lee Wentzel, Adrian Torres and Ryan Zelenka will be called upon to lead the Titans to consistency.
“We have a solid group of varsity players,” Blair said. “I don't think we're an unbelievably talented team. We have to learn how to play as a team to be successful.”
In 2009, the Rams will see if they can build on last year's 6-6-3 record and playoff showing.
“Given what we saw in the fall and how our spring club season went, I think expectations are high,” Ackerman said. “We're setting pretty good goals for ourselves.”
A return to the playoffs isn't out of the question in a 3A Western Slope League that last season was pretty even after the top two teams — eventual state champion Hotchkiss and Basalt.
Bolstering the Rams' cause is a big turnout. More than 30 players are out for soccer, the most so far under Ackerman's watch.
“We're finally to the point where we have enough players to field a [full] junior varsity and varsity team,” Ackerman said.
In the past, Roaring Fork has had several players suiting up for both varsity and JV games. That won't be as necessary in 2009.
Leading the numbers-blessed Rams will be players like senior Wylie Adams and junior Dalton Handy. Both are captains.
Also back are goalkeeper Anthony Flores and Logan Doherty. Both are seniors.
“It's going to be an interesting season,” Ackerman said. “I'm excited about it.”
Titans hope to parlay potential into wins
The storyline is all too familiar to Coal Ridge coach Brian Blair.
His Titans enter the season with high hopes and then, as the losses mount, his team winds up wondering what could have been.
The high hopes are there again in 2009, but Blair is aiming for a different ending.
“I think we can be a playoff team,” Blair said. “That means we have to play well game in and game out, not just in flashes.”
Seniors Nick Kneedler, Lee Wentzel, Adrian Torres and Ryan Zelenka will be called upon to lead the Titans to consistency.
“We have a solid group of varsity players,” Blair said. “I don't think we're an unbelievably talented team. We have to learn how to play as a team to be successful.”
CRMS set for 2009
Colorado Rocky Mountain School will return to the pitch in 2009 under the direction of fifth-year coach Dan Pittz. The Oysters went 0-12-0 in 2008, having to forfeit a pair of wins and a tie after suiting up an ineligible fifth-year senior.
jcaspersen@postindependent.com
