BEAVER FALLS, New York (WWNY) – We continue our preview of the region’s soccer teams preparing for the upcoming season by taking a look at the Beaver River Beavers, a team with high hopes heading into the upcoming season.
Coach Matt Lyndaker’s Beavers struggled in 2021, setting an overall record of 2-6, 0-3 in the ever tough Class D Northwest Division.
But with strong numbers and some veterans back from last year’s squad, Lyndaker says he’s optimistic that his team will have a rebounding year this season.
“The guys, they work hard, the numbers are good. They are better than last year. We now have about 29 kids, a good group of seniors, bringing back 16 kids, so the experience is there. I expect to do some good things,” Lyndaker said.
The players expect to do good things again this season.
The Beavers lost their last 4 games of the season last year, but the returning players say last season’s experiences have made them work harder in the off-season and believe this will be the year the Beavers will compete for a Section 3 Class D Championship.
“This year’s team, I have a lot of confidence in them. I see a lot of people working hard and I’m really proud to see most of my friends doing their best. My expectations, I really expect to see the play-offs and go as far as we can. It looks really nice, people working hard and it makes me want to work harder,” says Logan Clement.
“My team. I think we look pretty strong. We have a strong bond with each other, we see each other as a kind of family. My expectations, obviously everyone’s expectation is to go to the Dome, but I would really getting to it this year,” said Skyler Steiner.
“I mean, we have a great group of guys. They’ve worked hard all season. My expectations, I think we’re going to make the playoffs and I think we have a real chance to play in the Dome this year.” said Derrick Zehr.
Class D is once again packed with talented teams this year and Lyndaker knows that every game for his team this coming season will be a struggle.
“It’s always tough. Dolgeville is back, they are out of division but they are coming to us week 3 and it will give us kind of a big test to see where we are. Sandy Creek is always tough, Onondaga, Cato, it’s a fight every week,” Lyndaker said.
The Beavers open the 2022 season with a road race on Saturday, September 10, as they travel to Utica to take on Utica Notre Dame in a 1 p.m. kick-off.
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