Dan Hartley believes as well as the Goodrich varsity boys soccer team has done this year, the future could be even brighter.
As the Martians? junior varsity soccer coach, Hartley, who also teaches at Goodrich High School, has a direct stake in the future of the program. Currently, the Goodrich JV team is 14-0, including a win in the Frankenmuth Tournament in September.
Currently, the Martians? varsity program is also enjoying a stellar season. As of press time, the Goodrich varsity is 11-2 overall and 9-0 in the Genesee Area Conference, including a 3-0 win against LakeVille Oct. 3. Bobby Short, Nick Arnold and Dan Eisinger scored for the Martians.
‘As far as I can remember, this is the best record we’ve had this late in the season, at least in the past five years,? Goodrich varsity coach Evan Huizenga said.
Hartley said the Goodrich program is built with long-term success in mind.
‘I expect even better things in the next few years,? Hartley said. ‘The next three years will be exciting for the Goodrich soccer program.?
Huizenga said the Martians? players have benefited greatly from spending time playing during the offseason for travel teams such as the Flint Steelers and the Genesee Stars.
In addition, he said the Goodrich Soccer Club, which started around the 1997-98 school year, has played a key role in the development of the high school program.
‘It’s becoming more of a influence during the past few years,? he said. ‘It’s grown from a recreational league to one with more elite programs and travel teams.?
As of press time, the Martian junior varsity have scored 68 goals and allowed just four.
‘I had feeling we’d be good ? I thought this would be the best JV team I’ve had coaching here,? said Hartley, who is in his fourth year coaching JV soccer. ‘I wasn’t expecting to be quite this good.?
Hartley attributes the team’s success to ‘hard work and a talented group of young players.?
Among the core of key players for the Martians are freshman Andrew Patrick, the team’s leading scorer; sophomore Mike Iden; freshman center/midfielder Austin Douglas; and sophomore goalkeeper Chad Frownfelter.
Hartley said the junior varsity has about six more games to go before the end of the regular season, and added he expects a few junior varsity players to be called up to the varsity for the stretch run.