Boys soccer ended their season, falling to Plymouth in the sectional finals by the score 1-0.
This was the team’s first season with Coach Nic Sturdivant, who replaced NDA teacher Michael Prudisch as head coach. Sturdivant is married and has five children and started to coach Allouz Stampede soccer when his daughters were young.
Sturdivant’s high school coaching career started when one of his fellow coaches also coached high school boys’ soccer and was looking for a JV coach.
“I said I would give it a try, and 13 years later, I’m still at it,” said Sturdivant.
“I have turned down some other varsity positions in the past, but the timing was right in my life, and the program seemed to be a good fit for me,” he said..
One of the many things Sturdivant is proud of the team for this season was their ability to be independent, without his having to be coaching every second of a game or practice. The team also worked well together and supported one another, which, he indicated, led to their success.
“I didn’t need to be the coach who was coaching every minute of every game and practice. Coaching became a support role to the team, not a lead role,” said Sturdivant.
His favorite memory from the season was running onto the field and being with the team to celebrate their big conference championship win. Varsity player Ian Noble shared the same favorite experience for the season.
“We had not won conference for over a decade. We had a great regular season and even better conference record,” said Noble.
The team set “high standards” this year. The team’s win over De Pere was also a favorite memory of teammate Henry McKenna.
“We played De Pere in the conference championship this year and won a thrilling game, 4-3. Unfortunately, we fell short of making state this year, the ultimate goal we set out to accomplish. Even though we did not make it to state, I am thrilled about our season’s success,” said the senior captain.
Throughout the season, the team completed many of the goals they set out to achieve. They beat Middleton (Division 1 State Champions) 2-1 at the beginning of their season and won the FRCC Conference.
“Even in the tough games, we always stayed strong and played the game we always play together. To me, that’s what Triton Soccer is all about,” said McKenna.
