It’s a new season and a new beginning for the Laramie Plainsmen soccer team. They started 2019 with a 3-1 victory last Saturday.

Laramie had a new head coach in Anne Moore. There is a solid core that returns, but defensive anchors in All-State players Kyle Reynolds and keeper Tanner Reidel are gone from positions they held for the last four and three years, respectively.

Laramie finished last year with a loss in the third-place game at the state tournament. They fell in the semifinals to eventual state champion Natrona (1-0) before an overtime loss to Green River (2-0). LHS went 10-8-2 overall last season. They finished third in the conference with a mark of 7-2-2-1. That was followed by another third place at regionals.

Moore will have five returning starters and nine varsity players to build around. According to the new head coach, things have gone well, so far.

“I’ve been really impressed with the work ethic, and that was a big thing at the beginning of the season. We talked about giving your best every practice. The freshmen have really stepped up and come in with confidence, and the returners are leading by example. So, I’ve been really, really impressed by just with the level of play, but also the intensity has been really good.”

Players like seniors Cadel Rosales, Noah Dreiling, Jordan Tangeman, and Baxter Tuggle are expected to lead this team.

Rosales and Dreiling joined KOWB’s David Settle after a recent practice to discuss how preparation for the season has gone, what it’s like with a new coach, their expectations, and more.

Moore says their focus will be a big key for them this season.

“Everyone being on the same page and being focused with the same goal in mind is really important. Playing together as a team, because you can see if things break down, and people start pointing fingers, things fall apart. If you’re there, things happen, that you make a mistake, if someone’s there to lift you up, then you’re going to have more of a positive reaction and come together and find a way to win. That’s where this team, in the past sometimes they get down, and they can’t get back out, and so my goal is to get them to have the confidence, that it’s okay we’re behind, we’re going to come back, we’re going to do this together, and have that confidence and togetherness to make that happen.”

Moore also points to ball movement and playing intelligently are keys since LHS is not one of the bigger and more physical teams in Class 4A this season. However, the big goal remains the same, and that's to go win another state title.

The Plainsmen opened up with a re-scheduled game at the UW Indoor Practice Facility last Saturday and beat Kelly Walsh, 3-1. The rest of the schedule is comprised of conference play, which starts March 22 and 23 with home matches against the Gillette Camels and Sheridan Broncs.

Laramie will host the 4A East Regional Soccer Championships May 9-11. The Wyoming State Soccer Championships are back in Jackson May 16-18.

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