—Messenger photo by Brandy Mills-Carver Returning letterwinners for the Fort Dodge Boys SOCCER team are, front row (left to right): Momo Rapas, Conrad Greathouse, Ayden Le, Greyson Chance, Mateo Ron, Ayden Hernandez. Back row: Madden Bailey, Kobe Bacon, Alex Berger, Caleb Huse, Bryson Hansel, Jacob Moore. Not pictured: Oscar Suriano.

Nic Huse has been around soccer for a long time, and now the former Dodger will take over the Fort Dodge boys soccer program.

The 2001 FDSH graduate was an assistant under longtime Joe Jackson last season, and after Jackson’s retirement Huse will take over.

Huse has been coaching local soccer for over 10 years, coaching for the Fort Dodge Soccer Association as well as Chaos teams.

“I never imagined I would be here,” Huse said. “It was eye opening last season, seeing how good teams are and how good soccer is in Iowa.”

The Dodgers return 12 letterwinners from last year’s squad.

Senior returning letterwinners for Fort Dodge will be Momo Rapas, Mateo Ron, Ayden Hernandez and Jacob Moore.

Returning juniors are Madden Bailey, Kobe Bacon, Conrad Greathouse, and Greyson Chance.

After strong freshman seasons, sophomores back are Alex Berger, Ayden Le, and Caleb Huse.

“We only have four seniors and have 12 guys returning,” Huse said. “So we have a solid group back, mixed in with a couple of freshmen who will see the field.”

The Dodgers struggled in the win column last season, picking up three wins. Fort Dodge earned a 5-0 win over East Sac County, they beat Waterloo East 3-0 and Des Moines Hoover (1-0).

Huse saw a glimpse of what his club has to offer in a scrimmage against Webster City last week.

“We just had a scrimmage with Webster City,” Huse said. “The best part of it was they were having fun.

“We have to have fun and we also have to go to work.”

The Dodgers will have to replace leading scorer Ericson Morales, who scored eight of the 10 goals.

Bailey scored the other two on six shots on goal. Bailey had four assists, while Ron had three. Junior Oscar Suriano had an assist as well.

“The focus is definitely awareness,” Huse said. “We need to understand what is going on around us before we get the ball, picking up the ball and then where the ball is going before it gets to us.

“We also have to know how to dribble and create awareness around us with passing.”

Offensively Bailey, Ron and Hernandez will be key threats for the Dodgers. On defense Moore, and Suriano bring experience.

“I’m excited to see Madden play this year,” Huse said. “He plays a ton of soccer around the state and loves playing soccer.”

Huse also said freshman McKade Lunn has been a pleasant surprise in the early going.

Greathouse and Momo Rapas are dual threats on offense and defense.

“Our top seven guys are pretty strong,” Huse said. “There is not much of a gap in our eight through 10 players.”

After his freshman campaign, Berger will return in the box for the Dodgers. Berger had a 65 percent save percentage with 147 saves.

Huse will be assisted by Fort Dodge graduate Parker Schillerstrom.

The Dodgers open the season on Monday when they host Sioux City East. Action begins at 6:30 p.m. inside Dodger Stadium.

ROSTER

Seniors — Karter Hemrick, Momo Rapas, Ayden Hernandez, Mateo Ron, Jacob Moore, Carter Morris.

Juniors — Brek Pingel, Conrad Greathouse, Madden Bailey, Greyson Chance, Ethan Bird, Oscar Suriano, Kobe Bacon, Erwin Clarans, Elijah Weier, Izzam Mejia.

Sophomores — Benjamin Wanat, Fernando Ortega, Ayden Le, Bryson Hansel, Liam Lewis, Jose Valle, Anthony Turcios, Javier Barillas Palencia, Caleb Huse.

Freshmen — McKade Lunn, Jose Perez, Andrew Barwin, Garrett Royster, Joel Prado, Edgar Juarez, Gustavo Merida, Holden Doster, Victor Mora, Gavin Sankey, Carter Ashton, Jostin Gutierrez, Nicolas Serrano.

SCHEDULE

March 30 — Sioux City East.

April 2 — at Sioux City North; 7 — Des Moines Hoover; 10 — at Ames; 4 — at Storm Lake; 16 — Waterloo East; 21 — Mason City; 24 — at Des Moines East; 28 — at Des Moines North.

May 1 — Marshalltown; 7 — Des Moines Roosevelt; 11 — at Des Moines Lincoln; 15 — at Webster City.