QND boys soccer squad banking on right mentality, strong leadership to fuel state title chase

QUINCY — There’s an anxiousness shared by the Quincy Notre Dame boys soccer players.

“I wish we could play tomorrow,” senior midfielder Colin Kurk said.

Knowing the season opener against Peoria Notre Dame isn’t until August 22, the Raiders have to temper their enthusiasm.

“We have to get through the two weeks of practice first,” Kurk said. “Then we can go.”

That’s when chasing a title that has eluded them begins in earnest.

Unfortunate circumstances and an unfortunate ending have defined the past two seasons, but with an all-state striker returning, better depth than expected and players willing to switch positions for the greater good, the chemistry seems right to erase disappointment.

“I think our mentality is right,” senior forward Tanner Anderson said. “I think everyone is buying into the process of winning a state championship. We’re working together and coming together. Our mentality is there. It’s where we need it to be to win a state championship.”

Part of that mentality is playing with a chip on their shoulder.

The Raiders finished 16-6-3 last season, losing 3-2 to Mendota in the Class 1A sectional championship game. The circumstances, which included a no-call on an apparent foul in the penalty area late in regulation, left everyone yearning for redemption.

“No one wants to go out the way we did last year,” Anderson said. “Tough game, tough environment to play in. We’re coming with revenge this year. We want that state championship, and I definitely think we have the squad to do it.”

It starts up top with the return of Anderson, an all-stater last season when he scored 35 goals and dished out 10 assists. The Saint Louis University commit has 65 career goals and will be chasing the all-time record of 79 set by his older brother, Seth.

The attack won’t center around Anderson alone.

Junior forward Leo Cann scored the game-winning goal in a 1-0 victory over Quincy High School last fall and has matured both physically and mentality to be the perfect running mate alongside Anderson.

“Leo has a different gear than most guys do up top,” QND coach Greg Reis said. “Tactically, he’s better this year than what I’ve seen in the past. He’s learned it’s not all about speed and getting the ball over the top. He’s seeing, ‘Hey, I’ve got to hold the ball up so we can get some more numbers up by me and exploit the defense that way.’ His vision is really good.”

With Kurk and senior midfielder John Drew controlling the pace of play and feeding the attack, the Raiders expect to be dynamic offensively.

Drew’s burst makes him another viable scoring option, too.

“He’s playing with a really good confidence right now,” Reis said.

That’s easier to do with a solid backline.

The Raiders will have a new goalkeeper as Max Frericks moves into the net and a new pair of center backs. Deakon Schuette, a senior who transferred from Quincy High School, is expected to be joined in back by senior Jake Hoyt, who played his previous three seasons as a forward.

“I love his pace and his physical skills,” Reis said of Hoyt. “His physical attributes are unbelievable. He can jump. He’s quick. Physically, there aren’t too many guys who are going to knock him off the ball when he goes in to tackle.”

When senior Brock Evans gets healthy, he gives the Raiders a serious threat on restarts and corner kicks and further strengthens the defensive midfield.

Several newcomers from a talented freshman class figure into the mix, too. They will lean heavily on the leadership of an experienced senior class.

“Composure is critical,” Anderson said. “Being on the ball more is critical. These two weeks, getting a lot of touches is what they need. A lot of them will be doing one touch because they’ll think bigger guys and faster pace. They need composure, bring the ball down and find the next guy.

“Constructive criticism. You have guys above you that have played years on varsity, so you just have to listen to them. You learn from them. It was the same for me. I learned from my brother. You take what the older guys give you, play your game and have it all come together.”

Reis believes it will.

“They’re energetic and they like working with each other and for each other,” Reis said. “I think as the season goes on it’s only going to get better and better. Our physicality is pretty good. We have some decent pace and some decent size. 

“As a unit, we have to figure out our tactical side a little better right now, but anytime you have Tanner on your team, he’s going to make it easier for the guys around him.”