9 Seniors Look To Have Cloquet Soccer In The Hunt

Wes Vork-NSO

Aug 18

Kerry Rodd-NSO

After going 15-2-2 and then losing in the sectional championship game in a shootout last season, the Cloquet girls soccer team will look to a strong senior class for leadership.

“We lost 7 players to graduation, including All-Universe Jessica Vork,” said first year coach Dustin Randall. “We have a great group of returning players including 9 seniors.”

Among the key players will be last year’s leading goal scorer Haley Bassett, goalie Kaitrin Rathe, as well as Katie Pappas and Jessie Ryan.

The Jacks had almost 50 girls attend opening day tryouts according to Randall. “I am very excited about my opportunity this year to work with such a talented group,” explained Randall. “Our ultimate goal is to win our section and be successful in the state tournament, but obviously we have a lot of work to do between now and then. I believe in setting high goals and expectations, and with the talent and desire in this group, I don’t think anything is out of reach.”

Under Randall, the Cloquet program will stress ball control and possession and moving up the field as a team.
“Soccer is a defensive game and we will focus on solid fundamental defending,” commented Randall. “However, we also recognize that many attacking situations begin out of the back and I am not afraid to bring numbers forward. We’ll see, and I will adapt to the girls, so you probably can expect some surprises.”

Kerry Rodd can be reached at Kerry@northlandsportsonline.com