TIFFIN — The roster has largely turned over, but the expectations have not been altered.
The Dyersville Beckman boys’ soccer team entered the season ranked third in Class 1A despite losing almost 65-percent of its scoring due to graduation.
“First time, young team, a lot of new faces,” Beckman Coach Mirek Laskowski said after the Blazers downed 2A No. 16 Clear Creek Amana, 1-0, in the season-opening boys’ soccer game for both schools Monday at Clear Creek Amana High School. “Like last year, we started very slow and then as we go in the season, we started doing better. Hopefully next game, on Monday, we should be a lot better and a lot more efficient.”
Laskowski counted 22 shots on goal for Beckman (1-0), a number that typically produces more scores. After several first-half opportunities, senior midfielder Drew Boekholder broke the scoreless tie with a drive and shot with less than three minutes until halftime.
“I just saw an open shot and Mirek always tells us if we’re within 18 (yards), take the shot,” Boekholder said. “So I just let it fly. … I probably started at the 20-yard-line and then when I drove in, there was no one on me, no one to pass to so I just put it in the goal.”
Boekholder posted seven goals and three assists in 19 games last season. Two of his five starts came in the Class 1A state tournament, where the Blazers finished third in their sixth appearance in a row.
“He never gives up, he never stops,” Laskowski said. “He’s like an Energizer bunny with the good batteries. He’s got nice ball-handling skills and open eyes on the field.”
With the increased opportunities for players like Boekholder, fellow senior Jaden Recker, junior Owen Grover and sophomore Tom Jaeger, the Beckman security blanket comes in the form of senior goalkeeper Ty Pottebaum, who posted 13 shutouts in 20 starts last season.
“Having our goalkeeper back is really helpful,” Boekholder said. “He knows the pressure it takes.”
Beckman (1-0) hosts 1A No. 12 Benton Community on Monday.
l Comments: douglas.miles@thegazette.com