McNeley takes over senior-laden team hungry for a state trophy

By ERIC PLUMMER

Sports editor

SANDPOINT — The senior-heavy Bulldog boys will have a new head soccer coach for just the third time in the program’s history, as Evan McNeley takes the reins of a program that owns a rich history.

An old axiom, often applied to sports, holds that the dictionary is the only place where success comes before work. While the team will have a new leader, don’t expect a change in the old-school, lunch pail attitude that was passed from Randy Thoreson to Adam Tajan and now McNeley.

McNeley, a longtime professional indoor soccer player, said work ethic is the strength of the 2017 squad. The eight state soccer banners hanging in the SHS gym aren’t there by accident, and they usually come at the expense of sweat and toil.

“We’re stressing working hard, providing a blue collar mentality,” says McNeley, who played last season for the Tacoma Stars of the Professional Arena Soccer League. “We’re looking to score a lot of goals and push forward often, bring exciting soccer to Sandpoint like it always has been. Possession-oriented, with attacking wing play.”

The team went 11-5-4 last year under Tajan, losing two tough games at state in a shootout against Blackfoot and OT loss to Twin Falls. Many of the starters on last year’s squad return, and now know what it takes to win at state.

Leading the charge will be senior striker Noah Hastings, the leading returning scorer after netting six goals last season. He’ll be flanked in the attack by seniors Mac Stultz, who dished out five dimes last year, and Christian Dressel, who tallied five goals and four assists.

All will be looking to up those numbers this year, with a big scoring void to fill.

“Noah has the ability to take players on 1 v 1. Mac and Christian will work in the wide areas of the field,” describes McNeley of the offense. “We hope to stretch defenses and be able to attack 1 v 1 all over the field.”

Seniors Zion Reichold, Luke Koch and Jacob Matt will roam the midfield, with junior Cole Baillie, who scored five goals last year, and junior Tyler Moore bringing experience and providing quality minutes.

Senior-heavy teams often have success, as there is no substitute for experience, and after a taste of state last year this squad will be extra hungry to bring home a trophy.

“We bring a lot of experience. The boys bring a lot of soccer heart,” describes McNeley. “We’re focused on togetherness, and they’ve responded really well. If we reach our team goals, it will inevitably lead to success.”

Every defensive backfield needs a quarterback, and this year it’s senior Tanner Kohal, who will be counted on to lead a unit that includes Dylan Baillie, Max Edmundson and Gage Sigman.

McNeley has been a college or pro defender for the better part of two decades, so it’s a safe bet the Bulldogs will have a strong back four, led by Kohal, who spent last year out of the country after starting as a sophomore.

“Tanner brings leadership and work ethic,” says McNeley. “He demands a high level from the team, and helps instruct young players.”

Kohal called the Bulldogs strong and connected as a team, and sees them contending for a state title if all goes well.

“We have a lot of fun while we play, and it makes us a lot closer. We know where everybody will be at,” says Kohal, who said the key to making a run at state will be consistency. “Show up every game. Sometimes we just turn it off. Whether a practice or at the state final, we have to bring it every game.”

Minding the net for the Bulldogs will be a talented duo in junior Julian Reichold and senior Hyrum Hunsaker. Like nearly every position, there is a battle going on for playing time at one of the most key positions on the field.

“I’m excited to have Julian and Hyrum. They both compete, and it’s going to make for some very tough practices,” predicts McNeley, noting every position is up for grabs. “Everybody is inviting the challenge of playing for positions, nothing is set in stone.”

As always, the biggest hurdle to winning a state title could very well be navigating the high-stakes district tournament, which leaves no margin for error and has proven difficult to navigate in recent years as Lakeland and Moscow are fielding stronger teams.

Before the first game, McNeley admitts there’s an excitement around soccer in Sandpoint, and he’s eager to see where the team will go in his debut season.

“The boys are responding well to new info and style,” he says. “I couldn’t be happier coaching a great group of young gentlemen.”