Pines soccer loses just one senior from team that made regional final

Less than a year removed from a home regional final loss to Amery, the Northland Pines boys’ soccer team starts a new season this week, returning nearly its entire roster after just one senior graduated from the program. 

The valuable experience that’s returning is a big factor in how the team has prepared during the offseason and through the first week of practice. The players know how each guy plays and have built trust over time through game-time experience and off-season work. “The team is looking really good, and we are excited to get started with the season. We only lost one senior, so we have a solid group of players from last year that have built trust with one another through last season and the off-season,” said Head Coach Jamie Remme. Building off a 13-win season from a year ago and a third-place finish in the Great Northern Conference, Coach Remme is ecstatic to work with this roster again and the six seniors that will help lead the team. 

Senior Ryan Rydeski is one of many key returners up front for the Eagles, coming off his junior year with 19 goals. He looks to improve on that number in his final season. Other seniors on this year’s roster include Iland Shepherdson, Jackson Olejniczak, Tyler Vojta, Sam Shrock and Easton Otto. Vojta was fourth on the team in goals last season. Sophomore Simon Adamovich was also an impactful player in his first varsity season. He, Vojta and junior Dechlan Favorite found the back of the net a combined 17 times for Pines. 

“Our six returning seniors all bring great leadership qualities and talent. Dechlan is also a key upcoming leader on our team. All of these players are key leaders, but we understand that every player is critical to the success of this team,” stated Remme. 

On paper, the Eagles look like potential strong contenders in the GNC once again after a third-place finish last year and much of the team returning. Coach Remme doesn’t like to count the chickens before they hatch, as they say, but is optimistic that the Eagles will be competitive this fall in league play and beyond. 

“I am not big into speculation, but I believe we will be very competitive. We plan to continue to build on our team through practice and game-time experience,” mentioned Remme. Outside of regular season conference and playoff goals, Northland Pines will look to continue to build on the depth, trust and team chemistry the roster already has. Pines opens the regular season today, Tuesday, Aug. 25, at home against Three Lakes-Phelps. Kickoff is set for 4:30 p.m.