Soccer team kicks off fall sports Aug. 15

Grab your purple and gold from the back of your closet. Summer is coming to an end, and the Custer School District fall sport season kicks off with the first varsity soccer games Friday, Aug. 15 and Saturday, Aug. 16. 
Hannah Rehmeier is back to coach the Wildcat soccer team for her third year. Rehmeier grew up playing soccer, so she jumped at the opportunity to coach it. 
“This is my first time coaching a varsity team of any kind, so it’s definitely been a huge learning curve. But it’s been really good. It’s been something I’ve really enjoyed,” said Rehmeier. 
When it comes to coaching soccer, Rehmeier said her favorite part is watching both the team and individual players grow in their abilities over the years. 
“It’s a really fun game. It really cannot be based on the individual. It has to be teamwork or nothing happens,” said Rehmeier. 
Rehmeier is joined in coaching by co-head coach Paul Blair. 
This year the Wildcat soccer team is a little smaller than it has been in past years due to seniors graduating, students moving or students deciding not to come out for the team. Rehmeier said the size of the team will likely be a challenge this year. 
“I will say we have a really dedicated group. It’s pretty much the same group that we’ve gotten every year that I’ve been here. They care very much so about the sport, and they work really hard. That gives me a lot of hope. Even though we might not have a whole lot of subs, I think this is a talented group of players,” said Rehmeier. 
Returning to the field are eighth grader Kaden Austin, freshman Austyn Bergeron, senior Xander Dinius, sophomore Sylar Dinius, freshman Ethan Frank, eighth grader Austin Hewett, junior Koleden Niemann, junior Kiran Pesicka, eighth grader Jacob Polley, freshman Weston Rozema, junior Kadence Spaans, junior Brandon Suelflow, sophomore Leo Wager and junior Bret Zapp. 
New to the team are freshman Easton Gramkow and sophomore Aaron Hewett. 
“I think that Xander Dinius will be a really strong player for us. I think Kiran Pesicka will as well. She is usually a pretty helpful force on the defensive end of things and in the midfield. Austin Hewett would be the other one that I would really keep an eye on. He’s going to be moving the ball for us quite a bit,” said Rehmeier. 
As a whole, Rehmeier said, “I’m pretty confident in our defensive line, and I also think we have some really talented defensive midfield players.” 
Along with the limited size, the Wildcat team is young, which could be a weakness. 
“We do have a few younger players that are going to be probably starting for us and spending a lot of time on the field. Physicality might be a little bit of a challenge because a few of them are a little younger, a little smaller,” said Rehmeier. 
By the quarterfinal in October, Rehmeier hopes to see the team in the top eight of the Class A division for the playoffs. 
Before then, the Wildcats have a long lineup of games to get through, starting with a home game against the Groton Area Tigers Friday, Aug. 15 at 5 p.m. at the Custer soccer field. 
The next morning, the Wildcats will go head-to-head against the James Valley Christian Vikings Saturday, Aug. 16 at 11 a.m. at the Custer soccer field.
“I think that both of those should be good games. It’s always a little scary going into the first ones of the season, especially after just starting last Monday. I think there’s going to be a lot of moving parts with figuring out our formation, figuring out where we want everybody. But I do anticipate those being good games. 
“I think probably our game against James Valley Christian will be a little more physical. It usually tends to be that way. So we’ll just have to be careful with that and play smart. But both of those should be good games for us and a good way to start the season,” said Rehmeier.
With two home games to start the season, Rehmeier encouraged the community to come support the Wildcats. 
“It would be so awesome to see a big audience. That makes such a difference when you’ve got people cheering and excited for them,” said Rehmeier.