Thirty-eight student/athletes have come out for the boys soccer team in 2016, the most Head Coach Alex Jurek has ever seen.

 

When I stepped in as the interim coach eight years ago, Becker had only 17 kids on the high school roster,” Jurek says. “This season we have 38. “That is what I am most happy with, the growth of soccer in Becker.”

 

This season, Jurek and assistant coach Dan Baird expect their attack to come from a number of different players.  Seniors Logan Boyer, Brandon Abrahamson and Alex Nelson will see a lot of action as forwards.  Sophomore Jordan Gruenes and Sr. Captain Qadry Fakhreddine will be manning the midfield and will provide additional fire power.  Jurek returns his entire defense from last season and he and the coaches are building the team from there.

 

“Since day one, my biggest goal as head coach of boy soccer has been to change the culture here,” said Jurek, who also manages the highly-successful Robotics team in the spring. 

 

“Don't get me wrong, I love the traditions that Becker has — football has been good for Becker,” he said. “However, there is so much room for this game to grow. There is so much untapped talent walking around our halls that can contribute in all sports and activities. “We need to continually reach out to these students.”

 

The talent in the Granite Ridge Conference has always been tough to compete in for the growing boys program and this year is no exception.

 

“Our conference gets tougher every season and our new section alignment puts us in with powerhouses such as Orono, Willmar and Monticello,” said Jurek.

 

 “We will have to battle every minute of every match.  Realistically, we should be battling for the conference and section titles this year.”

 

Monticello has always  had Becker’s number over the years, but in the last few seasons, Jurek’s teams have kept the matches close.

 

Cathedral has been the only conference champion for boys soccer going on six consecutive years.

 

“Cathedral is always our biggest foe but I think our team is much improved and ready to maybe surprise them,” said Captain Fakhreddine. “They are and always will be the team I want to be the most.”

 

Co-Captain Noah Arrigoni agrees.

 

“Yeah, we want to beat them this year and then have it continue year-after-year,” he said. “I really think we might have the type of team to do it this year.”

 

Fakhreddine is a phenom with the ball and a threat to score or tally an assist or two for the team. Arrigoni is a stellar defenseman and should help out tremendously when Goalkeeper Hunter McCalla looks for blockers.

 

The players enjoy the competitions during the regular season but they also appear to appreciate the hard work Jurek expects from them whenever practices during the week come around.

 

“Jurek is always working us, making us better players and people,” said Arrigoni.

 

“He knows what to expect from each of us and we know we have to trust what he is teaching us is right for each situation,” said Fakhreddine. “He’s really helped me get better at this game.”

 

“We have one of the most gorgeous fields in all of Minnesota,” said Jurek. “It’s a gem to play on in autumn.”  

 

A number of years ago, the Becker community provided the funds for the school to construct a new track around the varsity soccer field and put in quality lighting. That alone has made what Jurek calls a gem exactly that.

 

“We are forever grateful for these lights,” he said.  “The grounds department deserves so much credit for the work that they do every year.  Their impeccable work has provided such a great place to play year in and year out.”

 

A couple of weeks ago, 16 of Jurek’s alumni soccer players faced off against 23 of his current players in a annual friendly match.  Jurek just hopes the next generation of young soccer players continue to passionately grow in desire, skill and ability for one of earth’s longest-running sports.

 

“When you find the love for this game, use this to build your skills,” said Jurek of tomorrow’s youth.  “Yes, a deft touch, a powerful shot and crisp passing are important. But more than anything, use this game to develop your character.  After your senior season, no matter what sport you play, it is the memories and your character that you will take with you.”

 

The boys soccer team consists of Hunter McCalla, Noah Arrigoni, Mason Makarall, Qadry Fakhreddine, Matthew Davalos, Tate Weise, Andrew Schneider, David Berning, Alex Nelson, Jordan Rogers, Noah Klinker, Jordan Gruenes, Logan Sticha, Evan Epperly, Logan Boyer, Tommy Haugen, Jordan Klinker and Brandon Abrahamson.