Soccer team ready and confident

Published 1:16 pm Tuesday, September 18, 2018

Fifteen soccer players for the 1A junior varsity Long Creek/Ukiah team are charged and ready for the season to start next week.

“I’m looking forward to building on what we had last year,” said sophomore Aaron Garinger.

He said last year’s team was solid, and three returning players this season should help the team be even stronger.

Returning head coach Amos Studtmann said every year they start over with new team members because of several of the athletes being foreign exchange students — the benefit is that many times those students have experience playing the sport in their own country.

“I have many from different parts of the world who’ve played either recreationally or on a club team,” he said.

The countries those students are from include France, China, Kyrgyzstan, Thailand, Mexico, Vietnam and Germany.

“We have a pretty positive team with good attitudes and good work ethic from the majority,” Studtmann said.

Mathéo Buchart, a junior, scored during the team’s practice scrimmage Sept. 12 in Long Creek. He said in his home country of France he enjoys playing soccer with friends.

“I think this year we have a good team,” he said. “We’re going to try to win our games. We’re going to give our maximum for the win.”

Wilbur Chan, a senior from Hong Kong, hasn’t played soccer in several years, but he said he enjoys learning more at practice.

“The team spirit is good,” he said. “We have fun together … I hope to win.”

Studtmann said smaller schools have co-ed soccer teams. In the past, local girls have opted for volleyball, but this year two girls are trying soccer, including Katherin Vaughan and Heather Fan.

The coach said his goalies, Ben Combs and Jesus Olmos, are showing good instincts and reaction time in the position.

They’ll face junior varsity teams from larger schools, including Riverside, Umatilla and Nyssa. They’ll also match up with Four Rivers of Ontario, a team they’ve faced in the past.

“I’m grateful for the larger schools for letting us play their JV teams,” he said.

Sophomore Thomas Kreamier, was on last year’s team that won all their games except for two tied matches. He was named Rookie of the Year for 2017.

Kreamier said he likes hanging out with friends at practice.

“I enjoy the journey,” he said. “I’m excited to see how this team develops camaraderie.”

Josh Konig, a junior and returning Mountaineer/Cougars player, said they have a strong group, and he’s willing to work with the players who’ve joined their team this year.

“I’m loving this new team,” he said.

2018 Long Creek/Ukiah JV soccer schedule

Sept. 26: vs. Riverside in Long Creek at 3 p.m.

Oct. 2: @ Riverside in Boardman at 4:15 p.m.

Oct. 6: @ Four Rivers in Ontario at 4 p.m. (MT)

Oct. 10: vs. Umatilla in Long Creek at 3 p.m.

Oct. 12: @ Riverside in Boardman at 2 p.m.

Oct. 18: vs. Nyssa in Long Creek at 3:30 p.m.

Oct. 20: @ Umatilla in Boardman at 3 p.m.

Oct. 27: vs. Four Rivers in Long Creek at noon