Although the Ankeny boys’ soccer team boasts a new head coach in Trevor Fuccio, the Hawks may look a lot like last year’s squad.
Most of the starters are back from a year ago, when Fuccio was an assistant under former coach Marcus Varnum.
“The practices have been going well so far,” said Fuccio. “The boys are adjusting well to some of the new ideas, but a lot of things are the same.”
Fuccio took over the program when Varnum left to become a full-time assistant for the Simpson College men’s team. Varnum guided the Hawks to a 4-10 record in his final season, including a 2-6 mark in the CIML Conference.
Junior forward Landon Benge is the team’s top returning player. He racked up a team-high 10 goals and seven assists as a sophomore, when he was named to the CIML Conference second team.
Benge had three games with multiple goals, including a hat trick in an 8-0 win over Sioux City East. He scored both of his team’s goals in a 4-2 loss to then-No. 1 Dowling Catholic.
Senior defender Tyler Woods is among the other returnees. He was a third-team all-conference pick.
Woods was part of a strong defensive effort in a Class 4A substate semifinal, when the Hawks dropped a 2-0 decision to eventual state champion Johnston. The Dragons went on to score at least three goals in each of their last four games.
Junior forward Andrew Loder is also back along with senior midfielder Gannon Ripley, junior midfielder Jack Croske, sophomore midfielder Cal Wahlberg, senior defender Jackson Roberts, junior defender Dylan Gloviak, sophomore defender Keaton Kobow and sophomore goalkeeper Jackson Dockendorff. They each received all-conference honorable mention in 2023.
Loder had six goals and an assist, including four goals in the victory over Sioux City East. Ripley contributed four goals, while Wahlberg had three assists.
Junior defenders Austin Lundberg and Henry McMillan will also be expected to play key roles. McMillan started all 14 games a year ago.
Lundberg transferred to Ankeny after earning all-conference honorable mention last season at Ankeny Centennial, where he had two goals and three assists. He helped the Jaguars reach the Class 4A semifinals.
“Austin has been a starter in this conference,” Fuccio said. “He has come in and proven himself.”
Gloviak could be another key part of the defensive unit.
“Dylan was one of the captains from last year,” Fuccio said. “He’s coming back from an injury after playing in minimal games last year.”
The Hawks will host Pella in their season opener on March 26.
“I’ll keep our team goals internal for now, but the objective is to continue to develop this group and raise the standard throughout the season,” Fuccio said.
