(Avoca) AHSTW is ranked #6 in Class 1A by the Iowa Boys Soccer Coaches Association. The Vikings are off to a 3-1 start.
AHSTW began the season with three straight wins before a 4-1 setback to Van Meter on Monday. Coach James Johnson says, “I think as a whole we’ve done a really good job. We had a lot of question marks to start the year with new faces and lack of experience in certain positions. We’ve really stepped up well with the exception of Monday we had a little trip. That gives us something to learn from and try to get better.”
The group is led offensively by Raydden Grobe with 9 goals. “He’s a great leader in everything he does. He’s a multi-sport athlete and excels at every one of them. Not only he also lead by example by being great on the field, he also leads in the locker room and in practice by working hard and helping kids with what they are supposed to be doing and doing things the right way. It’s no surprise he is leading us in scoring.”
The defense gave up a total of just three goals during their 3-0 start. “Jacob Coon is a solid defender. Aidan Martin, this is his first year out, he’s a dual sport athlete with track and he’s really taken to soccer quickly and has been a huge threat. Kaden Schmitz is our center back and he’s new to soccer at the high school level. He’s done a great job.”
Up next is a matchup on Monday at St. Albert. “We’ve really got to work on some of the issues we struggled with against Van Meter and that’s just possession and passing.” Johnson says, “We were really tentative and let Van Meter get a lot of the free balls. We know St. Albert is a great possession team. They always have been and they work soccer year round. We are going to have to win those free balls to give ourselves a great shot at getting the win on Monday.”
AHSTW will also match up with Tri-Center next week. They host the Trojans for senior night on Tuesday.
AHSTW coach James Johnson:
