Just two seasons away from a section crown and a state tournament berth, the 2025 Park Wolfpack boys' soccer team will eye those lofty goals again.

And players and coaches are optimistic to hit the turf and score some wins. The Wolfpack also have some 81 on this year’s roster, the most the team has had in some time, including 27 freshmen.

“I think the program is kind of going in a good direction,” said head coach Andrew Bourgoine. “As we’re getting more kids, more kids are joining soccer. I don’t know if that was from our state tournament run from a couple of years ago that maybe more kids are picking soccer instead of some other sport. But I mean it’s good. I’ll take bigger numbers than less numbers.”

Park went 7-11 on the season last fall, finishing seventh in the Suburban East Conference with a 4-5 record. The Wolfpack won their section opener against Apple Valley, 3-1, then fell at Rosemount in the Section 3 semifinal 3-0.

But in the magical 2023 season, Park went just 3-6 in the conference but then caught fire in the playoffs, beating Hastings, Bloomington Jefferson and Rosemount in section play, then Minnetonka 1-0 in the first round of the Class AAA state tournament. Park went on to finish fourth at state. That set the standard for the Wolfpack for the immediate future.

Park has qualified for the state tournament five times, including runner-up finishes in 1988 and 1992 and fourth places finishes in 1994 and 2023.

Park must find replacements for 10 graduated seniors from last year’s team, includes such standouts as captains Tristan Lee, Devin Igl and Mac Maluski; Logan Zumbado-Viehauser, Gavin Oberding, Benny Manirishura, Jack Doherty, Luke Rikkola, Jostin Espinoza and Leon Eiden-Giel.

Lee in particular will be missed. His soccer skills will now be for Northern Michigan University. Lee was a four-year starter and earned All-Conference honors. He led the Wolfpack to a fourth-place finish in the state tournament in 2023 and was named to the All-Tournament team.

But the cupboard isn’t empty as returners include captain Terry Espinoza-Garibay, defender Oliver Cox, midfielder Isaac Lor and goalkeeper Ben Free.

“I think this team is going to be really good,” said Bourgoine. “It all depends on how our goalkeeper situation goes and how if we can score this year. But I mean skill-wise it’s probably one of the better teams we’ve had in a long time.”

Senior Ben Free returns in goal with a challenge from sophomore Donovan Sheck. “I think they’re close,” said Bourgoine. “But I think Ben’s got the edge right now and since he’s a senior we’ll probably start of but since I have another good one right behind the senior, I think it’s a good competition for them so its keeps Ben right on his toes, ready to do the best he can.”

Bourgoine’s has concerns how much offense the team can generate, but no worries on the defensive side of the ball and few in midfield.

“The defense is really going to be good,” said the Park coach. Senior captains Oliver Cox will lead the defense with Terry Espinoza-Garibay in midfield. Garibay should vie for all-state honors, Bourgoine said. Third-year player Isaac Lor will be another key contributor.

“I expect to have a good season overall,” said Cox. “I think we’ll have some hard games, but I think we’ll do well overall. I think just building chemistry and playing together as a team (will be the keys to a successful season).”

“To have fun,” said Espinoza-Garibay, a four-year player and three-year starter for Park when asked what his expectations for the team were. “I know a lot of people on this team, and we’ll be trying to be the best that we can.”

Park’s strengths this season probably start with an ability keep the ball in its possession and control the tempo, both players and coaches said.

In sections, the usual suspects in Rosemount, defending state champion Eagan and Park should be the top three teams.

The Wolfpack host Bloomington Jefferson in the season opener Thursday with a 7 p.m. start.

Thu, Aug 21 — Bloomington Jefferson at Park, 7 p.m.

Tue, Aug 26 — Park at Burnsville, 7 p.m.

Thu, Aug 28 — Minnetonka at Park, 7 p.m.

Tue, Sep 2 — Park at Apple Valley. 7 p.m.

Thu, Sep 4 — Roseville at Park, 7 p.m.

Tue, Sep 9 — Park at Stillwater, 5 p.m.

Thu, Sep 11 — Cretin-Derham Hall at Park, 5 p.m.

Sat, Sep 13 — Eastview at Park, 7 p.m.

Tue, Sep 16 — Park at White Bear Lake, 7 p.m.

Thu, Sep 18 — Woodbury at Park, 7 p.m.

Sat, Sep 20 — Park at Shakopee, 7 p.m.

Tue, Sep 23 — Park at Irondale, 5 p. m.

Thu, Sep 25 — Mounds View at Park, 5 p.m.

Sat, Sep 27 — Park at Hastings, 2 p.m.

Tue, Sep 30 — East Ridge at Park, 7 p.m.

Thu, Oct 2 — Park at Forest Lake, 7 p.m.