by Ryan Kohlhof
The PCM boys’ soccer team traveled to Pella to play Pella Christian on Thursday, March 31, for their first game of the season. They brought home a loss, 7-0, but kept their heads up high. The Eagles scored six of their goals in the first half, but the Mustangs tightened up their method and kept it to 1-0 second half.
This season, after not winning any game last year, the Mustang boys are starting from scratch. Their game plan has changed. From the formations to the plays, the Mustangs have altered their whole way of taking on the game.
With PCM ELP and ESL Teacher Brian Adams bringing forth knowledge and experience as an assistant coach, the Mustangs can only expect great things. Adams graduated from PCM, but at that time, the district didn’t offer soccer until his junior year, and he was convinced to stay on the golf team. He didn’t learn to love the sport of soccer until later, when he was studying abroad in Costa Rica. When he returned, he coached basketball in Johnston for awhile, but Adams decided soccer was his calling.
“I am pretty excited for it,” Adams said, “and I’m hopeful to see some great improvement throughout the year.”
The team is not expecting to become state champs over night, but surely the team is improving significantly and looking to turn some heads. Returning varsity players including some from Colfax and Lynnville Sully are: Sophomores Drew Johnson and Misha Seebeck; juniors Zach Read, Zac VanWaardhuizen, Jacob Phillips, Jared Craver, Leevi Telfer, Chase Kuecker and Graham Davis; and seniors Andres Vargas, Max Van Gorp and Ryan Kohlhof.
“I’ve been looking forward to this years’ team because I feel that we have some great talent that understands the game.” Vargas said, “I’m also pumped because we finally have a good system with coach Adams.”
Returning as well are head coach Darrin Telfer and assistant coach Zach Fagg.
The boys’ next games will be tonight, Thursday, April 7, at Chariton, with JV starting at 5:30 p.m., and Friday, April 8, at home against West Central Valley, with varsity starting first at 5:30 p.m.
