The Fall sports season is upon us and here at Holy Family we have a strong year for soccer ahead. The boys and girls soccer teams, after disappointing endings to last season, are ready for their state pushes this season.

Boys soccer, under the captainship of Luke Puklich and Sawyer Schugel, have their sights set high this season. After last seasons 7-6-3 record, the team is optimistic in a complete turn around after making it to the section semis last season-losing to Mound West-Tonka. Why the complete turn around? Four- year varsity player Dan Parker spoke about the turn around that is coming, “This is the most skilled team we’ve ever had at Holy Family. Most years we’ll have 2-3 high level soccer players who play year round, but this year almost everyone is a high-level soccer player. Above that, this is the closest team I’ve ever seen in the soccer program, the way that we get along is leaps and bounds above past years.” The biggest threats in the way of the Fire soccer team the rest of the way are Orono and Waconia. Waconia is unranked, but was ranked #9 last week, and Orono is ranked #9 in Class A in the most recent “MN Soccer Hub” rankings. The Fire is ranked #10 this week. Look for the Fire to compete well against any team they come across this season. Their matchup against Waconia will take place September 25th @Waconia, while their matchup against Orono will take place Thursday, September 27th @home. The Fire currently has an impressive 9-2-1 record on the season-well improved from last year. Stay tuned…

Girls soccer, under the captainship of Erin Schneider, Brielle Bornhorst, Paige Wicka, and Grace Murphy, is poised for another deep playoff run that saw them reach the section semis last season. When reaching the section finals is considered a failed season, you know the team has high aspirations. Grace Murphy described the team’s expectations saying, “Last season we did not make it to the section finals like we have in previous years, so we are definitely eyeing our return to the championship game this year.” The Fire consider their September 25th matchup against Class A, #6 ranked Waconia @Waconia as their true test this season. The Fire, with their 8-1-1 record, are ranked #1 in their section at this point in the season, so things are going according to plan.

Keep an eye out this fall for your HF soccer teams as they both push to reach their high aspirations of a state tournament appearance.