By By Ryan Satcher / staff writer
Dec. 5, 2002
The Lamar boys soccer team is ready to start the season and has high goals set for the upcoming year.
The Raiders fell early in the playoffs last season, but they are wanting to go farther this season.
Lamar will use much improved defense this season to try to improve on last season's solid mark.
Seniors Dave Hicks and Latham Farley will be back to lead the defense. Hicks will play sweeper while Farley plays stopper.
Juniors Tommy Edgerton and Lane Rush will be sidelined with injuries in the early part of the season, but will be back to join the defense.
Senior John Blubaugh and junior Will Carter have been playing solid in the back for the Raiders and should solidify the defense.
Blake Smith will anchor the defense from the keeper position. He hasn't been playing in a few years, but according to Escobar is fearless in net and will be solid in the back for the team. John Mutziger and David Culpepper may also see time at keeper.
The midfield should also be very solid for the Raiders. Drew Moffett and Wilson Kahlmus are returning after a good year last season and will control the middle for Lamar. Sophomore Scott Owen will be on one wing for the Raiders and Eric Stubbs will be on the other. Stubbs is a natural left-footer which makes him perfect on the left wing. Owen has good skill and should help the Raiders on the right side of the field.
The Raiders should be very strong up front this season. Juniors Dylan Anderson and Randy Boyd Thompson will play forward for Lamar and should use speed to score a lot of goals.
The Raiders are fairly young this season, but have played together a lot. Lamar will depend on a lot of juniors and the leadership of a few seniors. The team should be very deep with a solid sophomore and freshman class and has two seventh graders that will probably see time. Logan Rush and Patrick Stubbs may each see time this season.
Lamar will try to play more Brazilian style soccer with one and two-touch passing instead of the European style of long kicks and running.
Lamar will open its season today at home against Presbyterian Christian at 6 p.m.