The 2017 Gibault Catholic High School soccer team.

Gibault Catholic High School hopes to take its soccer tradition to the next level under a new coach in a higher class.
Former Hawks player and assistant coach Darryn Haudrich takes over a team that placed third at the Class 1A state tournament last year under coach Matt Reeb but lost many key players to graduation.

“I view our program as being in a state of transition for sure with the class change, coach change and graduating some key seniors who contributed immensely,” Haudrich said. “I also think of our current circumstances as being a welcomed opportunity to showcase the immense talent that continues to make Gibault a strong soccer presence in the area.”

This year’s Hawks squad will feature a strong defensive line led by senior captain Aaron Grohmann and fellow senior Robert Lugge. Flanking the sides of the defense will be a combination of senior Carter Kesler, senior Josh Hooser, junior Dylan Altadonna and sophomore Gavin Kohnz.

Midfielders to develop and lead the Gibault attack will be junior Adam Stearns, senior captain Jordan Floerke, junior Karson Huels (eight goals, 14 assists in 2016) and junior Ryan Swindle, flanked on the wings by senior captain Zack Gillan and junior Cameron Kincheloe with the scoring threat of juniors Logan Doerr (seven assists in 2016) and Johnny Adams.

The goalkeepers are sophomore Connor Olson and junior Will Janson.

The same defensive core is intact from last year’s team, Haudrich said, along with the midfielding core.  

“As a strength, I see the Hawks being healthy, gifted and speedy at the beginning of the season,” Haudrich said. 

A traditional strength for Gibault soccer is that it plays a rigorous schedule every year, matching up against large area schools as well as prestigious St. Louis programs.

Among the team’s challenges this season is working to gel and build chemistry at an accelerated pace with having four games in four days to start the season, Haudrich said. Gibault opened the season Monday against cross-town rival Waterloo, winning 1-0. The Hawks then play in the Metro Cup against Springfield, Columbia and Althoff.

“The Hawks aspire to make a name for themselves at the 2A level and have a goal to earn a 2A state tournament appearance,” Haudrich said. “As a proud and storied program, the expectations are to compete for a state title each year and this year is no different. Gibault matches up against Class 1A, 2A, and predominantly 3A schools all season, so the goals and expectations remain to be playing soccer up north in November.”