DANVILLE – The Caledonia United boys soccer team more than held their own in their first season in Division III last fall, and with an experienced core returning, expectations are high as they return to Division IV competition.
In their first season as a three-school cooperative (Twinfield-Cabot-Danville), head coach Peter Stratman and his Cal United soccer team tied a program record with 11 wins. They survived a first-round scare from Hazen Union before ultimately falling to a high scoring Fair Haven team in the quarterfinals. Stratman’s program has now won nearly 60 matches on pitch since he came over from Cabot over six years ago, including a pair of Division IV Final Four appearances. He lost some firepower from last year’s squad in Darshan Eddleman (graduation) and super freshman Omar Miksic-Knibb (leading scorer) but returns plenty of talent for his team to make another run in late October.
“Omar, Darshan, as well as some other talented soccer players won’t be on the roster this year and their speed and soccer skills will be missed. But just like any new season, you create a recipe for success with the ingredients you have. Players change every year. Their skill level and development are different every season and therefore you mold your team around those changes. We have a great group of kids here between the three schools and we will develop our identity throughout the course of the season. It is early on in the process and where we want to get to as a team is taken one step at a time with every practice and then every match,” said Stratman.
Stratman does return a talented group of seniors led by Vermont All-State selection Eli Russell. The talented multi-sport star tallied double digit goals and assists last fall for a high-powered Cal United offense. Fellow seniors Jola Otten, Sam McLane, Josh Peterson, and Elijah Andrews also return after earning Mtn. League honors for their outstanding play last fall. Junior Evan Whitehead also earned league honors last season and returns his versatility on both sides of the ball. Sophomore Judah Klarich also looks to increase his role on Cal United after a promising freshman campaign.
“Eli is just one of those phenomenal athletes who also gives 1000% effort in whatever he does. He elevates everyone around him, were lucky to have him, and is one of those special players who influences the culture of a program. Evan is a pillar for us in the middle of the field and Elijah is a force of positive energy and naturally creates the kind of team culture that you strive for. Josh had so many big games for us last season in goal. It’s great to have his confidence and experience back there and he has big goals this season. Judah is a talented young player, and I look forward to watching him continue to develop. Our seniors are great examples for a large group of freshmen coming in and we are lucky to have coaches like Will Nally and Daren Celley on the staff to give their time and knowledge of having success within the program. They are truly great people and role models for our players, and we couldn’t do it without them,” said Stratman.
Moving down a division this season automatically makes Stratman and his program a Division IV title contender in the eyes of most, but talking about results and who his team’s competition might be in late October, couldn’t be further from his mind.
“We held our own last season against Division III competition and I’m proud of the way my boys competed and proved they belonged. In the end, it doesn’t matter what division were in, our schedule is our schedule. Our goals remain to compete as a team, have the fire every day to get better, don’t look too far ahead, and embrace and trust the process. I’m pleased with our progress so far in practice and scrimmages and we look forward to the start of the season,” said Stratman.
Cal United is scheduled to kick off the season in Danville on Friday as they welcome Paine Mountain to town.
