The Triton soccer team made it to the game before the annual WIAA State Tournament last year.

Falling just short of the state tournament was a dagger in the heart for returning members and is now used as fuel to hopefully get the fourth gold ball in boys soccer history.

“We are hoping to not only become better players but also a better team–and to get a fourth gold ball,” said senior captain Benjamin Van Handel.

The team this year has three captains. They are senior Aj Berndt, junior Alex Brouille and Van Handel.

The captains look to unite this new young team and hopefully find good results in a highly competitive FRCC conference.

“Everyone is pretty good but we’ll especially be trying to beat Bay Port, Preble and De Pere,” Van Handel commented.

The team is replacing many players, including goalie Noal Watzka and midfielder Stephen Scripp, who were key in the Tritons’ success last season.

“The key players are everybody who suits up. We are a small young team, so everybody needs to step up and play their best,” Van Handel said.  

The Tritons may be young but that does not stop them from having the hopes and dreams of going to state and getting a title.

“We may be young but we are just as ambitious as last year’s team and we hope for the same results and even more,” said the captain.

Coach Bob Rickards will be taking the reins for another season as head coach.  

Rickards has been involved with soccer for over thirty years. This includes playing in high school, college and some amatuer soccer leagues. Rickards has also been involved in coaching for 29 years, which includes coaching some semi-pro teams and other high schools.

With an overall record of 477-252-84 (boys and girls soccer), Rickards will be hoping to add more wins to that record than losses.

The Triton soccer program is coming off a big state title season from the girls last spring. The boys are hoping they have what it takes to do the same this fall.