In today’s edition of the Friday Fast Break, we go to the soccer pitch to look at a pair of teams that are looking to continue their success from last season. Both Liberty and Pacific have an outstanding group of returning players who will look to lead their teams to a deep run in the state playoffs.
Liberty Head Coach Tony Luedecke welcomes eight starters back from last year’s district championship squad and will count on them to help win the school’s first conference title. Carson Nolan will be a player to watch in the area this season as he can score and make assists from his midfield position while Piggy Galaway will add depth from his forward spot.
Steve Smith heads into his second year at Pacific with an outstanding core group of returners that will compete in the tough Four River Conference. Conference Defender of the Year Ayden Biedenstein returns to lead the Indians on the defensive side while Jacob Turner will add scoring punch from his forward position.
Liberty Eagle
Head Coach – Tony Luedecke
Record at school – 30-12-2 in two years
Conference – Gateway Athletic Conference
2021 record – 17-6-2
2021 highlights – Won their district last season before falling to John Burroughs in the MSHSAA state sectionals.
Starters Returning: Jack Andrzejewski, Bryson King, Schrader Ludwig, Brady Freeman, Turner Lively, Piggy Galaway, Carson Nolan
Returning players: Carson Nolan – Attacking Midfielder, Bryson King – Center back, Jack Andrzejewski – Outside Back, Schrader Ludwig – Center Defensive Midfielder.
Players to Watch: Carson Nolan- extremely shifty attacking mid that will connect the play and score goals.
Schrader Ludwig- Dominate senior playing in the middle of the field that will dictate the pace of play.
Piggy Galaway- winger with some of the quickest feet I have seen. Looks to take on defenders and beat them 1v1.
Turner Lively- Looking to step up and score a bunch of goals for us.
Season Outlook: “We are looking to bounce back after a tough loss in the sectional game against John Burroughs,” stated Luedecke. “We lost two all-state seniors but are also bringing a lot of players back. Our goal for the season is to win the conference for the first time in school history and win another district title and make another run at state.”
Key Games:
- Tuesday, September 13 at Fort Zumwalt South
- Monday, September 26 at Howell Central
- Thursday, October 13 at Washington
Pacific Indians
Head Coach – Steve Smith
Record at school – 11-15 in second year
Conference – Four Rivers Conference
2021 record – 11-15
Starters Returning – Ayden Biedenstein – GK and Midfielder, Trevor Klund – Midfielder, Jacob Turner – Midfielder, Sach Wolf – Defense, Aaryn Curry – Midfielder, Mason Lucas – Midfielder, Connor Higginbotham – Forward, Brett Bearden – Defense, Logan Hanna – Midfielder, Chayse Gilson – Forward.
Returning players: Ayden Bidendestein is a dual threat player and won conference defender of the year as a goalkeeper but can also play the field incredibility well.
Trevor Klund has a motor on him and never gives in, plays both sides of the ball very well. Jacob Turner is our playmaker and captain.
Sach Wolf is the fastest soccer player on defense I’ve ever seen.
Players to Watch: Freshman Lucas Tennyson and Gage Clark could be cornerstone players down the road.
Season Outlook: “We haven’t decided on team goals as of yet as the team will make that decision, but our program goal is for players to always leave the jersey in better shape than how they inherited it,” stated Smith. “We have a returning core of veteran players who have one year left to leave a legacy and a solid group of incoming freshman and underclassmen who have grit and competitiveness that will make for some exciting soccer to coach and watch.”
Key Games:
- Thursday, October 13 vs Borgia
- Thursday, October 27 at Washington
Jim Powers has been covering prep sports in the St. Louis area for 15+ years and a part of the Missouri State High School Activities Association Championship Broadcasts for the past 11 years. Powers is also a part of the Fox 2 Verlo Mattress Prep Zone Friday nights at 10:10 during the football and basketball seasons. If you have a prep sports story, please contact Jim at japowers2421@yahoo.com. Follow Jim at @hssportscaravan
