FARMINGTON, Minn. -- Farmington boys soccer is enjoying a surge in players. Some of the additions are brand new to the sport.
Third-year head coach Thomas Macmillan says, "There's a lot of kids coming from different sports. I think about half of our varsity team is coming from a different sport, either lacrosse or volleyball. So, there's definitely a mix of talent. But it's really exciting to see an older age group as an average for both JV and varsity. And to have a freshman team at all is really exciting."
The club has jumped from 44 players in 2023 to 58 this fall, allowing the program to add that third team.
Some of the new players made it to summer practices. Some are back for their second year. Macmillan says those fresh faces can have an impact right away. Case in point, Jack Rosa, a senior last year, "He only played soccer two years his whole life, but he definitely made a difference. So, I'm excited to see a handful of them that can step in."
He says players athleticism improves when they play different sports, "The coaches saw that as well. Mitch [Grengs – head lacrosse coach] sent a note to everybody saying, if you want to see the improvement that Jack got to see over the last two years, then maybe soccer's something worth trying."
Senior captain Alek Silenko says, "We've got a lot of new players. We can get along with them. We have good communication. And overall, a new season. That's got me excited."
He says they're ready to carry over their work ethic from 2023, "What we're going to build on is how to play from the back. Because last year we did a pretty good job on spreading the ball around and communication. We had a pretty good buildup. Most of the [returners] learned that. So, we can teach other players."
The Tigers went 7-6-4 overall and 4-1-4 in the South Suburban Conference, tying for third place. They played conference champ Rosemount to a 0-0 draw late in the season. FHS lost to New Prague in the Section 1AAA quarterfinals 2-1 in a shootout. The Trojans went on to win the section crown.
The team also features experienced players, says Macmillan, "Some really talented kids. Obviously, the four captains. I have two seniors, two juniors as captains. That's a rotation I will continue to do. To allow those juniors to come in and see what the expectations are and be guided by the seniors. They're always players that play club and have played most of their lives. That standard of what soccer should look like, so they can help push the kids that are either brand new or coming into the team for the first time."
Senior captain Kalvin Rossate enjoys the new dynamic, "We graduated a lot of seniors. But we brought in a bunch of new players. Some that are returning. Some that are new. It's exciting to see how it changes it up. It's a different way of playing with different people.
"We have a lot of good speed on our team. And then talking, morale. We all play well together. Have a lot of fun. We will have good communication here too."
Rossate plays defense, "We're good at tucking in and making sure nothing can get around us on the outside. And if it goes to the center, basically, being able to stop it."
Macmillan's game plan is to control the ball, "As always, I'd love to be a possession team. We'll see how the first couple of weeks go if that's the direction we end up getting to go. About half the team has consistently played soccer and half haven't. The reality is expecting possession play out of kids that are new to soccer is expecting a lot from them."
He says players of all experience levels can sometimes unload passes earlier than they need to.
He says there's goal-scoring potential, "I'm excited about that part…Our front five will consistently be [experienced] players. There's a handful of them that are not only just very good on the ball and able to create the space for themselves to score, but they have good vision.
"Ajay [Alvarado] is one of our sophomores that I'm really excited to see and continues with us for the next three years. As someone who has just amazing vision of the field. He's not a big guy. He has to move the ball quickly. But he's talented on it and he can play individuals in as long as they're making the runs that are necessary. I think finishing will be just fine.
"Jose [Ruiz] is one of my captains. He's phenomenal with both feet, both dribbling and shooting. One of those things where he adds an element of someone who can play up top. You don't know which way he is going to go."
Matt Hanley is the other junior captain.
As a center mid, Silenko's job is to transition the offense, "Take away the ball. Recover. Then spread the ball around. If we're under pressure. I just open up, make some space, and play the ball to space…I think Jose is going to be pretty good this year. Since his brother is [2024 grad] Ivan. He's probably taught him some stuff."
As a captain, he wants "to be a leader. To teach them. Remind them of things they have to do. And [push] them to be better, be more on point, and to help them out. And overall make everyone better and have a good team."
The Tigers are breaking in a new goalkeeper for the third year in a row. Drake Anderson comes from lacrosse says Macmillan, "Last year was the same thing. The benefit this year is that he's a junior. He's a massive dude. He's confident coming out dealing with the ball. That's a big piece for me. Is can you handle the pressure of someone running at you. Are you comfortable basically putting your face in front of the ball."
FHS opens the season on Thursday, August 22 at Northfield at 5 pm as part of a doubleheader with the girls game to follow. The home opener is also a twin bill against Waconia. The boys start at 10 am. The Tigers host section foe Rochester Century on Tuesday, August 27 at 5 pm.Â
Rossate enjoys the home pitch, "The home field is so good. There's not a lot of wind because it's deep within the area. So, you don't really have any wind playing against you. The turf is super nice. It's just a good area."
Macmillan says the SSC race might be wide open, "Talking with the other coaches it does look like there's a lot of people that lost a lot of seniors and aren't gaining a ton…Everyone seems to have quite young squads this year. It's not the worst year to have a growth in players."
