Grafton returns strong kickers

The Grafton Black Hawks had a stellar soccer season in 2017, and nearly every player on this year’s team remembers it.

Most of them were active participants.

Led by first team all-North Shore Conference player Hailey Block, the Hawks are primed for another standout campaign after going 13-3-2 last season.

Block scored 27 goals and had five assists as a sophomore. She returns to her center-midfield position.

“She’s definitely a huge asset for us coming back, one of those hard-working kids that happens to be an outstanding soccer player,” coach Don Arnold said.

Also back is second team all-conference senior defender Abbi Gutknecht.

“That will be nice to have senior leadership and good talent back there,” Arnold said.

Gutknecht will get help from all-conference honorable mention junior Jaden Autey, who could be on the attack as well, depending on the situation and opponent’s lineup.

“She’s one of those leader-type players who will lock things down for us in central-back defense,” Arnold said.

More scoring prowess will come from junior forward Malaya Sperber, who netted 15 goals and had five assists in earning all-conference honorable mention last season.

“We’ll be looking for her to be a threat inside the box. She’s a very skilled player,” Arnold said.

Junior Corbin Woessner returns as goalie after recording 13 shutouts and earning all-conference honorable mention.

“It’s good to have someone that has some experience at the varsity level. If they do get by you, it’s good to know Corbin is back there,” Arnold said.

The Hawks have 39 players — “a great number for us,” Arnold said — between the varsity and junior varsity teams, and the coach said the skill level from top to bottom is high.

“It’s a very, very solid group,” he said.

Other players expected to play big roles this season include senior Faith Kettenhoven at outside midfield, sophomore Brianna Rapp at midfield and defense; senior Gretchen Geiser at back midfield, junior Laura Stockhausen in midfield, junior Kate Sewart at forward, sophomore Mackenzie Schultz and sophomore Ava Pederson, who “is not flashy and does the dirty work in back,” Arnold said.

Team chemistry is strong, given the relationships the players have with each other.

“Most of them are friends as well. They enjoy being around each other,” Arnold said.

The returning older players will teach the younger ones how to do things he said. Among the newbies are freshmen Claire Kosidowski at outside midfield, Bella Rapp at forward and Cora Danielson on defense.

Arnold said the Hawks are in the process of setting goals for the season.

“It will take a lot of hard work to accomplish what we want to this year,” he said.

They’ll face off with some new rivals with the addition of West Bend East and West, Hartford and Slinger to the NSC. Germantown and Milwaukee Lutheran have moved out.

“I think the North Shore got stronger with the additions,” Arnold said.

Grafton is on spring break next week and begins the season at home against West Bend West at 7 p.m. Tuesday, April 10.