Brandon’s varsity boys soccer team is bringing back plenty of returning players from last season.
Coach Nathan Hunter hopes that experience will pay off in the form of a Flint Metro League championship for the Blackhawks.
In order to prepare for this season, the Blackhawks headed to Glen Arbor Aug. 15 for a team building camp. Hunter said about 55 students from the Brandon soccer program went to the camp and underwent some ‘tremendous physical training,? including running in dunes and going on five- and six-mile scenic runs.
The Blackhawks, who went 9-11 last season, return 15 players out of the 22 on the varsity roster. Heading up that list is Ryan Morales, a junior midfielder/forward who made the all-league team last season.
Other key returnees are senior forward Chris Barth, junior midfielder Matt Thomas, senior midfielder Tyler Cole, senior center/back force Garrett Warrilow, senior goaltender Jerry Cronk, and junior defenseman Tyler Walls.
Hunter said he is setting a number of expectations for the team this season.
‘Our goals are to win the league, our division, and our district,? he said. ‘I think we’re capable of doing that.?
However, he said winning the Flint Metro will not be an easy task.
‘It’s always a competitive league,? he said. ‘We have a lot of parity in our league. Any team can beat any other team on a given day. We think if we can stay healthy, we’re the team to beat.?
Hunter said Linden, Fenton, Oxford and Holly will be tough league foes for the Blackhawks this season.