By Becky Walz,
The foundation is set for Decorah girls’ soccer team, all that is needed is the weather to cooperate so they can get time on the field.
The Vikings feature eight letter winners and a host of other athletes ready to put together a winning season after last season was cancelled.
Motivating the team will be fourth-year head coach Loren Hendrickson.
A nice run in 2019
The Vikings of 2019 featured a veteran team hoping to move through the regular season smoothly.
Sixteen letter winners led the way for Decorah, which had 30 athletes on the roster.
The playoffs started with a bang for the Vikings as the team knocked off Epworth, Western Dubuque, 2-0, in the regional quarterfinals. That set the stage with Waverly-Shell Rock.
Round two saw Decorah end the year in the semifinals versus the No. 2 Go-Hawks, 6-0.
The Vikes ended the season 7-9.
Solid core
Decorah lost 13 seniors to graduation in 2019 and another six last year, most with a long resume of experience.
“We have to completely rebuild our defense,” said Coach Hendrickson. “Missing a year took away my chance to see new players to fill it out.”
Despite the heavy hitters gone, the cupboard isn’t bare for the Blue and Red. The Vikings return eight letter winners. Back with experience for Decorah are seniors Sophie Grouws, Anja Madsen, Abby Milburn, Clara Rooney, Taryn Sanderman and Payton Taylor.
The Vikings add junior Grace Bachelder and sophomore Ellen Rooney.
At this time, Coach Hendrickson is unsure of what others will be stepping in to fill the holes as season gets underway.
“I’m glad we have a core of seniors who had a lot of playing experience in their sophomore season. They are a stable foundation from which to build,” said the coach. “Countering that is the fact that we have a bunch of younger players who have no varsity experience. This will need to be a wait-and-see season, but I am hoping for the best.”
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