Lincoln Lutheran boys consistent despite obstacles

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By BRENT C. WAGNER / Lincoln Journal Star

Matt Brink is learning that some things in life aren’t easily  explained.

Such as, what really is in a hot dog? We’ll save that one for another day, because today’s puzzling topic is the Lincoln Lutheran boys soccer program.

While many of the top high school soccer programs have an off year or a rebuilding season, the Warriors have been remarkably consistent. Lutheran is the only Class B boys program that reached the state semifinals each of the past four seasons.

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Seniors on the Lincoln Lutheran soccer team, from left, Tyler Broskurth, Jesse Heibel, Jeremiah Majorins, Matt Brink, Aaron Hedlund, and Walker Agee. (Heidi Hoffman)

Seniors on the Lincoln Lutheran soccer team, from left, Tyler Broskurth, Jesse Heibel, Jeremiah Majorins, Matt Brink, Aaron Hedlund, and Walker Agee. (Heidi Hoffman)

But even to those in the program, how Lutheran has been able to be consistently successful is somewhat a mystery.

“I’ve always tried to figure that out,” said Brink, a senior and one of the team’s leading scorers. “I don’t see us as any different than any other team, but it just happens, and things click. We go hard, and we condition hard, but in four years I’m still trying to figure it out.”

Coach Nathan Bassett can’t pinpoint the reasons for success, either.

“The only explanation I can give is our guys just don’t quit,” he said. “They have such a passion for the game, and being such a small school they have such a tight bond. They’re not here because they want to go to this college or that college, but they’re here because of these guys.

“We are not the best team in the state many years in terms of skill or depth; we don’t play the prettiest brand of soccer. But somehow, someway, our guys find a way to win.”

And winning is something the Warriors have done frequently. Since the program began in 1997, Lutheran has won 83 percent of its games, despite having few upperclassmen during those early years. The Warriors have won seven district championships in 11 tries, even though they usually have to play traditional power Lincoln Pius X in districts.

This season, Lutheran is 12-1 and ranked No. 2 in Class B, with district action beginning next week. The Warriors have beaten five teams currently in the top 10.

If anything, Lutheran has found success by turning its obstacles into ways to help the team.

For starters, look at enrollment. Lutheran is the third-smallest school to play soccer. For that reason, many underclassmen have to contribute early. This season, freshman Isaiah Bockelman is a starter, and classmates Kevin Soenksen and Taylor Katt come off the bench.

By the time they are upperclassmen, the freshmen are better prepared to lead the team, Bassett said.

“When I was a freshman, there were phenomenal players,” Brink said. “I was like, ‘Oh, gosh,’ I don’t know how it’s going to be the rest of the years, but it’s cool to see how guys just kept stepping up year after year.

“It’s always been a close group of guys, but when it comes to playing soccer it’s amazing to see the desire to do well. Everyone focuses on that. Everybody realizes this is Lincoln Lutheran soccer, and we need to keep it going.”

Also in a smaller school, many sets of brothers have passed through the program, having watched the success from a young age. Chris Soenksen had two older brothers play for Lutheran, and is joined on the team now by younger brother Kevin.

From the earliest years of the program, the players had ownership and pride in the team, Chris Soenksen said, and it’s something that’s continued.

“The team was started by players,” Chris Soenksen said. “They went to Coach Bassett to start the team, and it’s always been people that want to play.”

While soccer has become a sport where many players specialize, Lutheran’s team is a unique mix. About 10 of the varsity players also play on club teams. Then there are others, such as goaltender Jesse Heibel, that were three-sport athletes.

It’s also not uncommon to have a handful of players that haven’t played organized soccer since their youth. Many of those inexperienced players will spend a few years on the junior varsity, and later contribute as a senior.

“We have a core group of guys that mostly play soccer, but then we have guys that usually play wing or goalie that play every sport, and they just have that athleticism that allows them to do well at soccer because they can go forever,” Brink said.

“That’s what’s cool. Schools like Pius and Class A schools have the guys that mostly play soccer year-round, and that’s why they’re so good. With us, we have to get people used to kicking the soccer ball again.”

This season is not unlike past years. The core of the defense — Jeremiah Majorins and Walker Agee — returned, but there were many question marks. Bassett wouldn’t have been shocked to have lost a few more games by now.

Just as has become the case, newcomers have filled defensive spots strongly, and the Warriors are also benefiting from balanced scoring.

And once again, Lutheran has a chance to be one of the final four teams playing at the finish.

“I kind of expected us not to do so well,” Chris Soenksen said, “but everyone’s working hard, and wanting to do as well as past years.”

Reach Brent C. Wagner at 473-7435 or bwagner@journalstar.com.