Never before has the Apollo High School’s boys soccer team had quite a season like this one. The team has a new outlook with an all-new coaching staff and an eye on the State Tournament after a devastating loss to crosstown rival Tech High School in the section playoffs in the 2021 season.
The season started off with a loss against conference contender Willmar Cardinals in a hard-fought game. However, the team thinks the loss helped put their potential into perspective. Since then, the Eagles have been on a winning streak leading the Central Lakes Conference and earning a sixth place ranking overall in the state of Minnesota.
Head Coach Luqman (Nasri) Ali gives all the credit to the team. “We have good athletes and good communication between players and coaches. They work hard and put in a lot of effort.”
Junior captain and goalie Dylan Coulter says, “I think we’re playing amazing! Every team has their flaws, but I think we’ve found those flaws and attacked.”
Defense player and junior Tristan Hoel adds, “I like the fact that our team has really grown. We’ve found our mistakes and refined them. Even when teams appear better than us, we manage to pull through.”
And there have been some nail-biters throughout the season.
Senior captain Ethan Christiansen thinks the season is strong is due to an all-new coaching staff. Four new coaches were hired this season to lead the program.
“We have a new coach, new opinions, and new views on the game are always helpful,” shares Christiansen. “We also have a lot of the same guys coming back with a few new guys which gives us a new perspective on the game.
And a new perspective on the game is what assistant coach, Jill Lipp, and recently named Section 8 2AA Assistant Coach of the Year, has provided. This is her first year coaching soccer. She’s been the head girls basketball coach at Apollo for many years. Lipp has had to learn the game of soccer. Everything from how many players are on the pitch [field], position names and what a yellow or red card means.
“If I could pinpoint why [the boys are successful this season], I’d be rich,” says Lipp. “I have zero experience with soccer. I think coming in … with a new coaching staff there weren’t this huge set of expectations. It was more about ‘Let’s build relationships with the kids.’ It’s really been them. It’s nothing special that we’ve done.”
One word that is apparent when players and coaches talk among themselves is family.
Coulter thinks the chemistry of the team has a big impact on their success. “We’ve kind of grown up together. We’re just all on the same level finally.”
Assistant coach Charlotte Albrecht adds, “Positivity is a huge difference this year along with some accountability.”
With postseason play beginning in a week, the team and coaches are looking forward to a week of practice and rest after playing three games a week during the regular season.
Junior Abdirahin Iman has been the lead scorer this season.
“Give me the ball and I’m going to try to get it in,” he says. “We come prepared as a team. We work as a team. We win as a team. Everything is about being a team right now.”
What do they expect in postseason? According to Coach Albrecht, “Wins! Wins! Wins!”
Christiansen says, “I don’t care who we play because we’ll be just fine against whoever.”
Coach Ali knows the boys just have to put in the effort and the rest will fall into place. Lipp says that in her 27-year coaching career, this season is one of the top two most rewarding experiences she’s ever had.
Go Eagles!
You must be logged in to post a comment.