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Comet soccer coach still hopeful for continued progress this spring

Comet soccer coach still hopeful for continued progress this spring
Press photo by John Burbridge
Charles City defender Mitz Concepcion, right, boots an indirect kick during a match in 2018, the first Comet soccer season. Concepcion was due to be among the returning seniors who were part of that first team.

By John Burbridge
sports@charlescitypress.com

CHARLES CITY — The seniors on the Charles City soccer team are not just upperclassmen.

They’re pioneers.

Many were part of the concerted effort to start a soccer program at the high school, and were about to enter a promising third — and for them — final season in part representing the fruition of their efforts.

As expected, the Comets took their lumps during their initial season (2018) while going winless. But last season, the Comets were able to kick back.

After recording the program’s first-ever victory against North Fayette Valley early in the season, Charles City nearly pulled off its first postseason victory only to suffer a first-round loss to Hampton-Dumont/CAL that was decided on penalty kicks.

The Comets looked poised to continue the program’s progression into this season.

“We have numerous seniors that we were counting on for their leadership on and off the field, setting higher expectations for the seasons to come, and numerous seniors looking to make their marks,” said Charles City head soccer coach Brad McKenzie. “Brahiam Rios, Hayden Pleggenkuhle, Dajon Richard and Mitz Concepcion are four returning letter-winners looking to add to their accomplishments — whether it was as our leading goal scorer, leading the team with assists, or adding some more wins.

“Other seniors were also looking to make their marks as we expected some competition between seniors Kale Ross and Dominic Hintgen to claim the starting goal keeper position. Brennant Ferrer, Phillip Bachman and Katie Garcia are also seniors looking to claim starting spots on the varsity team.”

The Comets were already looking to 2020 almost immediately after the heartbreaking OT loss to the Bulldogs.

“We continued to expand our offseason offerings right after the end of last season as we were able to host a camp with the Luther College men’s and women’s head coaches; launched two travel teams in the fall and had great participation in our twice a week open gyms throughout the year,” McKenzie said. “We also were able to participate in three indoor tournaments, including one that we hosted in Comet Gym. Our anticipation and expectations for the season were even higher than in the past.”

All this just makes the suspension and likely cancellation of the 2020 spring season due to the COVID-19 outbreak a painful kick in the gut for the Comets, not to mention for any other spring-sport team and athlete.

“We were to start practice on March 16 and knew we would have to hit practice hard as our first game was scheduled for April 2, against New Hampton, a team entering their first season of competition,” McKenzie said. “Needless to say, when the announcement to suspend all activities through April 12 [since updated to April 30] came out there were a lot of questions being asked and much disappointment from all.”

Though the Comets are not allowed to practice or hold team meetings, the team holds online video sessions twice to week to keep in touch, answer questions, provide suggestions to stay fit, encourage keeping a positive mindset, and — most importantly according to McKenzie — “share some laughs.”

“We continue to hold out hope that last season’s painful loss in penalty kicks won’t be (the seniors’) last match of their high school careers.” McKenzie said. “However, if it is, they can still feel proud that they put everything into that match and feel good about what they’ve done on and off the field as they have all had an impact on the program and in the school system. We look forward to seeing what they accomplish in the future as there is a ton of talent in this group.

“With that said, let’s kick this and get back to business as soon as it makes sense to do so. We will be ready.”

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