Puzzle pieces fit as Springdale boys soccer gets off to strong start

By: Jerin Steele
Thursday, September 7, 2023 | 5:44 PM

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The biggest unknown for the Springdale boys soccer team coming into the season was how quickly a fairly inexperienced midfield and forward group would jell.

Outside of senior striker Billy Lawrence, there weren’t too many players with extensive varsity playing time.

It hasn’t taken long for an answer.

Early returns say the group has found its footing, and combined with an experienced back line, the Dynamos were 3-0 entering a showdown with defending Class A champion Winchester Thurston on Thursday.

Springdale outscored opponents 8-1 in the first three games, beating Riverview, Burrell and Aquinas Academy.

“We have guys that didn’t have as large of a role last year already stepping up and filling some gaps,” Dynamos coach Paul Palo said. “We lost some firepower with Chris Mitchell and Bret Overly graduating. Our older guys are all basically in the defense more so than up top. Obviously we still have Billy (Lawrence), and the goals are coming from him, but we have some other guys getting goals from some young guys.”

Lawrence scored at least one goal in each game.

Pat Wylly, a junior, and younger brother Alex Wylly, a freshman, have a goal each. Nate Dubas, a junior, and senior defender Mason Gent also found the back of the net in the early going.

Lawrence is a four-year starter and has been the target of defenders for quite some time, but without Mitchell and Overly around him, that’s amplified even more this year.

Palo said Lawrence is a good team player who puts a lot of pressure on himself to perform and understands it’s not going to be an easy path with all the defenders keyed on him.

“Ever since he was a freshman, he’s been scoring goals and getting a lot of attention,” Palo said. “Now it’s almost an every-game occurrence where he’s getting pulled and hung on. He’s taken it in stride and taken it upon himself to not get frustrated or flustered. I think he’s pretty much ready for anything that comes his way.”

The goal production has been more than enough for Springdale’s experienced back line and junior keeper Noah Skaugen.

Gent, Jackson Pribanic and John Fitzgerald are seniors who anchor the defense, which has been stifling so far. Their best performance as a group came in a 1-0 win over Burrell.

“We got a quick goal from Billy, and then I would say the more experienced group from Burrell outplayed us for a good portion of that game,” Palo said. “We picked it up a bit in the second half, but the real difference was Noah (Skaugen) in goal and our back line. They kept it very clean and weathered the Burrell attack for a good 40 minutes.”

It’s been a good start, but what’s even more exciting for Palo is the potential that’s still untapped. He expects the Dynamos to continue to improve as they work toward becoming a finished product.

“I still don’t think we have played our best game yet,” Palo said. “I thought we were strong against Riverview, but it still wasn’t what I know what these guys are capable of. Our first three games were wins, but I still think these guys are warming up and learning to play with each other. They have played with each other for a while, but without those guys from last year, it is a difference. I’m hoping and thinking the best is still yet to come.”

Jerin Steele is a freelance writer

Tags: Springdale