By John Molene

Park was mostly fit to be tied last season, finishing with a 4-4-7 overall record. In the Suburban East Conference, the Wolfpack boys finished 1-3-5, in seventh place.

The Wolfpack lost several talented players off that team, which lost in the first round of section to Rosemount. The Irish went on to win the section title and finished second at state to Mounds View.

“So unfortunately, we lost in first round of sections, but we lost to a really good team who almost won it all,” said Park head coach Andrew Bourgoine, now in his 10th year at Park and third season as the varsity coach.

“We lost a lot of talent from last year,” Bourgoine continued. “Eleven total seniors and mostly all of our defense is gone.”

Players returning for the Wolfpack include junior captain and midfielder Noah Haupt, junior forward Ajub Mohamed, senior center midfielder Cam Forys, sophomore center-midfielder Tristan Lee, junior defender Joey Runion, junior forward Killian Krech, senior forward Jordan Glover and senior defender Tanner Courteau.

Haupt, Lee and Mohamed are likely the three key players out of those returning, Bourgoine said.

Newcomers who should make their mark on the varsity include freshman center midfielder Terry Garibay and junior goalkeeper Cole West.

“Our strengths this year are going to be our midfield and attack,” Bourgoine said. “And also moving the ball quickly. A very good possession team. Weaknesses are going to be defense and winning balls in the air. We are a very small team.

“I think a successful season for us is going to be just improving this year and hopefully getting past first round of sections,” Bourgoine continued. “We are a very talented team but very young so we will have to grow quickly because we have no easy games this year.”

Park hosts Bloomington Jefferson in a girls/boys’ soccer doubleheader to open the season on Thursday, Aug. 25. The girls game starts at 5 p.m. with the boys’ game starting at 7 p.m.

Park’s Ajub Mohamed takes aim at the goal in a game against White Bear Lake last season. Photo by John Molene