Experienced Boys Soccer Looks to Take the Next Step

September 14, 2020

The Cretin-Derham Hall boys soccer team is looking forward to building off of last season's run to the Section 3 Class AA semifinals.

The team has improved each season for the past few years.

“This is a talented, experienced group,” coach Hugh Hawkins ’93 said. “We have several returning starters, so we are loaded with experience.”

The group will be led by senior forward Mateo Castro ’21, who had played a pivotal role last season.

“We have a bunch of motivated seniors coming into this season, which will help us from our transition from last year into this season,” Castro said. “We have several senior starters that can bring a lot of energy and continue to motivate the younger players.”

Although the team lost some key players to graduation, CDH is looking forward to solid play from the brother duo of  Jack Tauer ’21 and Adam Tauer ’23 as well as defender Daniel Montalbano '21.

With the talent, experience, and depth the team brings, the expectations from both the coaches and players are higher than they have been in the past years.

“I have done this long enough to know there are lots of things that can go wrong in a season that are unexpected, but I have not entered a season more confident and optimistic, possibly ever. I am hoping this is the year,” Hawkins said.

The Raiders have key games coming up against East Ridge and Woodbury in the next week.

“We are always looking to improve, so we want to be able to make a deeper run come playoff time,” Jack Tauer said. “As a senior, my focus is on a section title. With the number of seniors we have on this team, I think it is important that we go out on a high note.”

Spectators are allowed at soccer games but must following the following rules:

• Face Masks are required at all times

• Must stay socially distant (6 feet) at all times (Hamline and Hartford fence)

• Bleachers are reserved for the elderly and handicapped 

• Anyone not following these rules will be asked to leave

Those not in attendance can watch several Raiders games online at Prep Spotlight (www.prepspotlight.tv). The schedule can be found on the streaming tab on our athletic website (www.cdhraiders.org/streaming)