ESKO - Having graduated one of the Northland's most talented prep soccer players in decades in Amanda Bergstedt, most might think Esko-Carlton would be in panic mode this fall.
Yet, that's not the case at all. The Eskomos are looking just fine.
"This is probably going to be the most well-rounded team I've ever coached," said fifth-year head coach Nicki Peterson during practice this week. "It's fun and exciting to get back out here."
Despite losing Bergstedt's absurd, area-best 52 points last fall, as well as eight other seniors, Esko-Carlton will return half a dozen players with varsity experience.
"We'll miss those girls, but now everyone's in the role where they're going to have to step up," said Peterson. "We're not starting from scratch. We have some key players back and they have a lot of talent."
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Veteran players for the Eskomos include Carlton senior midfielder Savannah Schramm, Esko senior midfielder Kelsey Mudek and Esko junior defenseman Sarah Juntunen.
"Our backbone of our team has stayed intact," Peterson said.
"We're itching to get back on the field and play together," said Mudek between drills Monday. "Everyone has their own talents and I think we'll work well together and go pretty far this year."
Call it the beginning of a new era, without Amanda Bergstedt.
"She was really talented," said Schramm about the five-year starter, "but we have separate talents this year and if we put them all together, we should be able to fill her shoes."
In addition to the trio of returning upperclassmen, Peterson noted that sophomore midfielder Hillary Anderson and junior forward Caitlin Lilly will be impressive as well.
"I will look forward to those girls to do a lot of the scoring for us," said Peterson. "We lack in size, but we make it up with speed. Speed is going to be our strength this year. We have some quick kids."
A year ago, the Eskomos finished 14-5-2 and were just one step from the state tournament after a difficult 2-1 section final loss to arch rival Cloquet.
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And will there be a hint of revenge? Juntunen didn't hesitate a bit. "Oh yeah," said the third-year starter. "Last year was heartbreaking. This year will be interesting."
"[Cloquet is] always our best competition," added Mudek. "It's always an exciting game with them."
Though the Lumberjacks have bounced Esko-Carlton from the playoffs in each of the past two seasons, this fall might just be the year the Eskomos climb the hump and find their way to state for the first time since 2005.
"We have a lot of passion and we're closing that gap," said Peterson. "It's a pretty even section, but I feel like we'll be right at the top again."
Esko-Carlton scrimmaged in the Twin Cities Tuesday, and will have their season-opener at home Thursday, Aug. 26, against Proctor. They then host Osseo at 11 a.m. Saturday and travel to Cloquet for a 4:30 p.m. contest Tuesday, Aug. 31.
