Replacing nine starters from a soccer team is hard enough, but when you are one of the smallest schools in the region, the challenge is even more difficult.
That’s what second-year Heritage Christian Academy soccer coach Lloyd Young is facing as the 2024 season approaches.
“We’re in a developmental year for sure,” Young said before a team-bonding event earlier this week. “Not only did we lose nine starters, but several of our upcoming eighth grade class (incoming freshmen) moved. It’s really tough at the moment.”
Two returning starters for HCA on offense will be senior striker Kallan Davis and junior forward Lucas West.
Junior midfielder Jerry Spurling, who played some good minutes last year, also is back at midfield.
“They are a group who really communicate well,” Young said of his older players. “They have a knack of talking together and they know where each other is going to be on the field. That’s just from playing together and feeding off each other for so many years.”
On defense, senior Jayden Nichols will be playing center back, but Young said he could move to goalkeeper.
Junior Kayden Nowak also is going to be counted on heavily on defense from the outside back position.
“We lost a lot on defense, but we have some people who just need to get some time in a varsity game,” Young said.
The Warriors have a new motto for this year with Young saying after each break they are saying “Warriors on 3, 4, 5, family on 6.”
“This team really is a tight-knit group and really enjoy each other’s company,” Young said. “I think that’s probably because we are a Christian school. We are more like family than just a team.”
HCA is scheduled to open its season Aug. 16-17 at the Kentucky Christian Athletic Conference State Tournament.
