August 23, 2021 at 8:11 a.m.
Late start OK for RHS boys' soccer
Late start OK for RHS boys' soccer
This year, the Rhinelander High School boys' soccer team took a more casual approach to the start of the season, choosing to wait until Wednesday - two days later than they could have under WIAA regulations - to hold practice.
The reasoning? According to coach Nathan Bates some players had family obligations Monday and Tuesday but, more importantly, he said his team enters at such a high level following a strong offseason commitment, that it could afford to start a little later.
"The boys have been putting in so much work in the offseason. They really didn't stop all summer long. They did their strength and conditioning and were in tournaments all summer," he said. "I figured starting Wednesday is not a big deal in my opinion. I don't feel the team is as rusty as other teams might be. The majority of my boys played all winter long in the dome and they've played all summer."
Because of that, Bates said he felt that his team would not need to focus as much on individual skills and conditioning as other teams. That allowed the team to jump into tactics straight away as it prepares for its season opener this coming Thursday at home against Hayward.
"We don't really have a lot to work on as far as passing the ball, dribbling the ball or shooting the ball," he said. "The kids are already doing very well with that. The nice luxury is we don't have to work on the conditioning aspect either. Conditioning wise I think we're in very good shape, so we can get right into the gameplay and formations."
Hopes are high for the Hodags soccer team after going 12-3-0 overall last year and winning the Great Northern Conference title. Rhinelander's playoff run was halted in the sectional semifinal round by eventual D2 state qualifier Medford.
With six of the team's eight all-conference selections from last year returning, Bates said he is confident entering the season.
"We have a couple of key pieces from last year that we're missing but, at the same time, we really didn't lose a lot of players last year as a whole. We've got a couple new guys moving into the roles and we're going to focus on our gameplay," he said.
Wednesday's opening practice was held inside the Hodag Dome. It's a place that the team utilized well during the offseason and will continue to utilize this fall. Bates said the majority of the team's practices will either take place inside the dome or at the adjacent Mike Webster Stadium.
"It's pretty cool to have. We're not going to have any rain days or storm days. We can go right from outside to inside and continue playing," he said.
After Thursday opener against Hayward, Rhinelander will host a four-team invite on Saturday at Mike Webster. The team will open GNC play at Medford in a rematch of the conference's top two teams from last season next Tuesday.
Look for a full RHS boys' soccer preview in Friday's River News.
Jeremy Mayo may be reached at [email protected].
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