The good thing about having a young sports team one year is that it will be an experienced team the next year.
Such is the case with the Noblesville boys soccer team. The Millers only graduated two seniors from last year’s squad that finished 9-6-3. Noblesville is hoping to better that record in 2017.
“We are looking to improve upon our season last year,” said first-year Millers coach Kenneth Dollaske.
The coach notes that Noblesville has more senior and junior leadership this season. Among the seniors back are Nicolai Andersen, who scored six goals last year; Tyler Hanna, who led the team in assists with four; and Carter Cates, who added four goals.
Other key players returning are seniors John Herron, Joe Lang and Kole Thompson, and juniors Tyler Cassidy and Tommy Gregory.
“A majority of our roster is returning from last year so we hope that another year of varsity experience will allow us to take the next step,” said Dollaske.
The Millers open their season Thursday at Carmel.
ROSTER
Seniors: Nicolai Andersen, Alec Anderson, Carter Cates, Tyler Hanna, John Herron, Joe Lang, Max Larche, Jackson Latham, Garret Russell, Kole Thompson, Alec Vanyo.
Juniors: Miles Atkins, Tyler Cassidy, Tommy Gregory, Will Hopper, Josh Lovett, Curtis Martin, Andrew Noel.
Sophomores: Adam Carter, Bryan Diaz, Gabe Imes.
SCHEDULE
Aug. 17: at Carmel, 6:30 p.m.
Aug. 22: Avon, 7 p.m.
Aug. 24: at Brebeuf Jesuit, 7:30 p.m.
Aug. 29: at Fishers, 7 p.m.
Sept. 2: Northwestern, 10 a.m.
Sept. 2: Kokomo, 2 p.m.
Sept. 5: Westfield, 7 p.m.
Sept. 9: Blackhawk Christian, noon
Sept. 12: at Zionsville, 7 p.m.
Sept. 14: at Cathedral, 7 p.m.
Sept. 16: Northridge, 9 a.m. at Fort Wayne Canterbury
Sept. 16: Valparaiso, 1 p.m. at Fort Wayne Canterbury
Sept. 21: Lawrence Central, 7 p.m.
Sept. 26: Hamilton Southeastern, 6:30 p.m.
Sept. 28: at Brownsburg, 7 p.m.