Photo by Terry MillsThe 2009 Tonasket High School Soccer Team is: Kevin Aitcheson, Jose Aldeina, Colton Ayers, Robert Bidlen, Jose Bravo, Kevin Cruz, Aaron Doner, Tyler Farley, Matt Gschiel, Michael Hulse, Marcos Layata, Nick Luera, Keegan McCormick, Cory

TONASKET – The Tonasket boys’ soccer team plans to work harder in order to have the same success as last season.

Chris Field, in his second year as head coach and assisted by Todd Mathews, said the team has 19 boys which is a small to average turnout. He said the team is mixed in experienced, with a lot of new kids who didn’t play last year but with returning players as well.

There are five returning seniors: Michael Hulse, David Sanchez, Jeovanny Polito, Damian Rangel and Kevin Weber.

“Hulse did really well at midfielder and this year is the same but he has stepped up as a team leader as well,” Field said. “Sanchez is one of our best defenders and sophomore Keegan McCormick has great speed and has really increased his playing ability. All of our returning seniors did great last year and will continue to be so this year.”

Field said young team members Kevin Aitcheson, Tyler Farley and Adiran Ramos show promise.

“We are young in a lot of areas but have returning experience also but I guarantee we will be competitive in every game,” Field said.

He said the team’s strong points are strong speed and good goal tending and their weakness is inexperience at some positions but they will mature over the season.

Last year’s team had nine wins and 10 loses and Field said he doesn’t foresee making any big changes in strategy this season but that the team needs to work harder to have the same success this year.

“Being our first season, there were so many highlights last season, but we did make it to districts and played in three games which we were picked last in the Caribou Trail League, so that was very exciting for us,” he said.