Lodi Boys Soccer: Building For The Future

As the Lodi Boys soccer team’s season and playoffs come to an early end, it’s a time to reflect on the roller coaster this season has been. Coming into a year where 15 seniors had graduated, leaving behind a regional title, it was clear that younger players would have to step forward. Under the direction of Coach Derek Callahan, the team started its season with two losses to West Salem and Edgerton before picking up a win against Lomira in a varsity quad. However, it ultimately fell in the final to Madison Country Day. They quickly bounced back, earning a win against Jefferson, but struggled to maintain that form. The team quickly lost its first two conference games against Lake Mills and Wisconsin Heights. Although conference play posed a challenge, the team quickly found its form outside of it through two convincing wins against Mayville and Luther Prep. Even with this great form, the team found itself with its roughest patch of suffering six losses in a row, four of which were conference. But the team ended their regular season with a 5-0 blowout over Portage. Completing their 5-12 season, now should this season should be seen as a disappointment after a regional winning year, team captain Nathan Robbins does not think so, stating, “No, we knew the season was going to be a little rough coming into it after losing so many seniors, there were games I would want back and to try again. But overall, I don’t view the season as a failure.” He also reflected upon his favorite memory of the season, saying, “I will remember the game against Jefferson when we beat them at home 1-0.” Now onto playoffs, it was a swift first exit against Winnebago Lutheran Prep, in the first round, with the blue devils suffering a 5-0 loss, but this can be seen as a great stepping stone for the majority of freshmen on the team. Speaking as one of the team’s veteran leaders, senior Andy Lembke shared his thoughts on the next generation of Blue Devils. “I feel that the young players will grow to be a great squad. There’s a lot of potential there that could benefit the future of the team.”