<body><div>There is an adage in high school sports that “Success breeds success.” As teams accomplish certain goals, more of the student body wants to be part of the program. It is also true that success raises expectations for next season. The East Lansing boys soccer team will put both of those trends to the test in the 2024 season.ELHS has captured a share of three consecutive Capitol Area Activities Conference (CAAC)-Blue soccer championships. Coaches and players are determined to keep that streak going. At the same time, they are keenly aware of the challenges that lie ahead. Head Coach Jeff Lyon, heading into his seventh season at the helm, has a lot of scoring to replace from the 2023 squad. He noted that the returning player with the most goals from last year is Lucas Pentecost who tallied two. “We’re a team that is still trying to figure itself out,” Lyon said. <figure><img src="https://img.particlenews.com/image.php?type=thumbnail_580x000&amp;url=2BZoVo_0vJ7P0Nz00" alt="https://img.particlenews.com/image.php?url=2BZoVo_0vJ7P0Nz00" width="666" height="651" ><figcaption>Head coach Jeff Lyon evaluates a drill. (Mark Pontoni for ELi)</figcaption></figure>Most of the scoring last season was produced by Third Team All-State and Lansing-area Player of the Year, Xtreme Hauk. Hauk finished the season with 19 goals in his senior year. Co-captain Jake Robinson notes that in 2024 many of his teammates will be counted on to score. “We are much more balanced this year,” Robinson said. “We can spread the ball around. We’ll be harder to defend.”All State players from last year, Christian Trunk and Jorge Loaisiga, also leave big holes that Lyon will have to fill.The team has also been challenged early on in 2024 by a rash of injuries and illness. Lyon reported that COVID-19 sidelined several players at the beginning of practice and two key players were injured before the first game was played. In addition, the weather has been uncooperative. Assistant coach Julian Birge has been a big help addressing early challenges. A 2012 ELHS graduate, Birge brings a great deal of experience playing at Alma College and for the Lansing Common soccer team. “We’re very lucky to have Julian in the program,” Lyon said.<figure><img src="https://img.particlenews.com/image.php?type=thumbnail_580x000&amp;url=2Q4EqX_0vJ7P0Nz00" alt="https://img.particlenews.com/image.php?url=2Q4EqX_0vJ7P0Nz00" width="386" height="512" ><figcaption>Juniors Ahmad Baher, Sebastian Perez-Cernuda, and Damien Ndagano will need to contribute in 2024 if the Trojans are going to repeat the success of past years. (Mark Pontoni for ELi)</figcaption></figure>Lyon recognizes that building team chemistry is necessary for a successful season. Among high school sports, soccer is unique in that most of the players are involved with various club programs during the offseason. Lyon said that 90% of his players are involved in clubs, including the East Lansing Soccer Club. Players build a lot of connections competing on the same teams as players from other schools. Lyon, however, noted “This provides a challenge for building continuity when they’re back playing on the same high school team.”Co-captain Joaquin Saldivar agrees with his coach. “Everyone gets along great with members of their class, but we’re still working on getting the juniors and seniors together,” he said. “We’re doing a lot of team-building stuff.”Depth will be a strength for the Trojans in 2024. With 14 seniors, eight juniors and two sophomores, Lyon has a lot of lineup options. “We will lean heavily on our seniors, especially on defense,” Lyon said. “Bennie (Ellis Goether) and Sammy (Haider) will have big roles.”Lyon is always working hard with senior goalkeeper Liam Curran. “He’s a very well-trained, smart keeper,” Lyon said. He added that Curran was injured late last year and rebuilding his confidence after that disappointment is a priority.<figure><img src="https://img.particlenews.com/image.php?type=thumbnail_580x000&amp;url=1X2CRo_0vJ7P0Nz00" alt="https://img.particlenews.com/image.php?url=1X2CRo_0vJ7P0Nz00" width="386" height="512" ><figcaption>Senior goalkeeper Liam Curran makes a save in practice. (Mark Pontoni for ELi)</figcaption></figure>“I hated missing those games,” Curran said. “This is my redemption tour.” When it comes to scoring, Lyon expects co-captain Cam Essell to play a key role. Noting that Essell is also a talented basketball player who plans on playing at the next level, Lyon praised Essell’s toughness. “He suffered a severe ankle sprain late last year that would have kept most kids out for at least two weeks,” he said. “But he only missed one and came back in time to help us lock up the league title.” The respect is mutual as Essell had high praise for his coach. “I love Lyon,” Essell said. “He encourages guys. He gives us criticism that helps. We actually want to listen to him.”“Lyon is empathetic and passionate,” Robinson added. He knows how to motivate us without getting down on us.”Despite the large senior presence on the team, the Trojans will need significant contributions from underclassmen. The perceived depth of the team was on display when the four co-captains were asked which junior they were most excited to see in 2024. Each co-captain named a different player. Ahmad Baher, Roby Basso, Patrick Spencer and Sebastian Perez-Cernuda were all named as juniors to watch.Lyon is also eager to get junior Damien Ndagano on the field. Ndagano moved to East Lansing from Buffalo, New York, but is still waiting for his transfer approval from the Michigan High School Athletic Association. Ndagano is frustrated by the red tape, but hopes to be playing soon.As he looks at the season ahead, Lyon is aware the competition in the league and in the district will be very tough. Okemos is a perennial challenge. Lyon said that DeWitt, Mason and Holt are looking very strong early in the season. Since moving up to Division One a couple of years ago, the district tournament draw has also gotten much tougher. Last season, the Trojans fell to Brighton in the district final. Despite all the early season challenges, however, Lyon fully expects to be in the fight for the conference and district titles.“We’re going to be a different team come late October,” he said. “We’re already pretty good.”</div></body>

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ELHS Boys Soccer Team Looks to New Goal Scorers to Continue Recent Run of Success

There is an adage in high school sports that “Success breeds success.”. As teams accomplish certain goals, more of the student body wants to be part of the program. It is also true that success raises expectations for next season. The East Lansing boys soccer team will put both of those trends to the test in the 2024 season.

ELHS Boys Soccer Team Looks to New Goal Scorers to Continue Recent Run of Success

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