Though there are plenty unknowns, the Waunakee boys’ soccer team is poised and ready to make some noise in the Badger North.

With a new coach, new philosophy, and a revamped organization supporting the team, the Warriors are hoping to improve on last season’s record, when they finished in the bottom half of their conference. Leading the charge is Dave Kettner, who is in his first year as Waunakee’s Head Coach. A large senior class, headlined by three players who earned all-conference recognition in 2017 – midfielder Brennen Miller and defenders Cole Fetters and Blake Mueller – will need to embrace leadership roles in order for the Warriors to challenge in the Badger North.

“The defense should be one of the team’s strengths with two strong goalies,” said Waunakee’s Head Coach Dave Kettner, “including returning goalie Nick Ohm and newcomer goalie Sullivan Schwitters.”

Joining Mueller and Fetters on defense will be seniors Carson Ejzak, Owen Lee, and Ben Koss, along with juniors Kendal Ohlrogge and Peyton Meyer.

On offense, Waunakee expects to be able to lean on experienced athletes, including senior Nathan Mais and Dane Laemmrich, and juniors Jacob Mouille and Sam Acker.

“Similar to the defense, the forward positions provide deep experience and should present many scoring opportunities,” added Kettner.

Waunakee’s midfielder looks like it could be a spot were some younger players may break through to earn some playing time. Behind Brennen and Hudson Miller, along with fellow seniors James Bradley and Chris Laack, younger players looking to see the field include junior Jacob Lenerz, sophomores Nathan Dresen, Tyler Westover, and Casey Fischer, and freshman Cole Kettner.

Perennial power Mount Horeb, who won the conference and Division 3 state championship last year, will likely be favored once again to finish at the top of the table. The Vikings have appeared in four straight state title games and haven’t lost a Badger North contest since the Warriors beat them 3-2 in 2012.

The Vikings do lose five all-conference players from last year’s team, however. The Warriors, along with the rest of the Badger North, see the defending champs as vulnerable. Waunakee is hoping they’ll be able to take advantage of their under-the-radar status to surprise some teams once the season gets underway.

“Waunakee is the big unknown with a new head coach and a strong returning group of players,” said Kettner. “Waunakee could surprise many teams this upcoming season.”

After a pair of scrimmages this past weekend, the Warriors open up their season at Middleton on August 23 before hosting a two-day invite on Friday and Saturday.