Soccer Vanguards earn honors

The Wisconsin Heights/Barneveld boys soccer team enjoyed a sensational season, posting a 9-5-2 overall record. The Vanguards also finished in second place in the Southern Capitol Conference with a 6-2-1 mark. After such a memorable year, Heights/Barneveld landed seven players on the all-conference team. Junior forward Gavin Childs, junior midfielder Caeben Schomber and junior defender Brodie Trollop were all named first-team all-conference. Senior midfielder Rhead Jacobus and senior defender Brayden Cymbalak were named second-team all-league, while freshman forward Sam King and junior goaltender Trevor Dimpfl were both named honorable-mention all-league. “I wasn’t sure how this season would play out,” coach Bartlett Holmes said during the Vanguards’ postseason banquet. “We lost a lot of talented seniors last year and I wasn’t sure how the boys would respond. So many stepped up. “We placed second in conference, one game behind Sugar River,” Holmes said. “Last year we placed third. We’re hoping to continue to build on this success. “This year’s team loved to compete, whether it was in a scrimmage or playing spike ball, they played to win. When I would set up tournaments to run during practice, they were all in, even complaining about a bad seed position.” Childs led the Vanguards with 17 goals and 39 points. According to Holmes, Childs was the first-ever Heights/Barneveld player to lead the conference in scoring. Childs received the most all-conference votes of any forward. And in addition to the all-conference honors, Childs was voted as the Vanguards’ MVP. “Gavin had a goal or assist in every conference game except one,” Holmes said. “When Gavin was on the field, the defense was back-pedaling. He also stepped up as a team leader. At half time, when the team would gather, Gavin would talk about what they needed to do in the next half. His maturity and his level of play are phenomenal.” Schomber finished second on the Vanguards in both goals (10) and points (27). “Caeben had a phenomenal season,” Holmes said. “He posted a goal or assist in every conference game except one. This year Caeben played center midfielder instead of forward. He never gets tired. “I am always surprised at how fast he is. He is so strong at being that force to bring the ball up, leading to a score or an assist.” Trollop moved from outside midfielder to stopper this year and was part of a defense that pitched five shutouts. “He would be great wherever we played him, but we needed him at stopper,” Holmes said of Trollop. “He was constantly shutting down the attack. A forward would have position and I’d be thinking they were going to get through, then suddenly there’s Brodie, flying in to disrupt the attack. What I love about Brodie is that he’s always in the right spot, always doing the right thing.” Jacobus finished the year fifth on the team in both goals (three) and points (seven). “When Rhead joined the team freshman year, he had not played on a soccer field for five years,” Holmes said. “After the first captain’s practice, we thought we had killed him, but he came back. “Rhead is one who bounces back up many times every match. As a team captain, Rhead leads by example. It is amazing how far he has come. He will truly be missed in the midfield.” Cymbalak was also part of the Vanguards’ stingy defense. Cymbalak also received the Vanguards’ ‘Team Spirit’ award. “Braydan is another player who changed positions this season, moving into the sweeper role,” Holmes said. “I think Braydan had as many saves as TJ (keeper Trevor Dimpfl). He was making slide tackles just as a forward was trying to take a shot. Braydan stepped up in a big way as a team leader.” King was third on the team in both goals (eight) and points (11). After a banner freshman year, it appears the sky’s the limit for King. “Sam is a very talented soccer player,” Holmes said. “Prior to the start of the season I wondered how he would manage playing against 18-year olds. He played some very physical matches and never backed down. “Sam scored against Sugar River as a freshman. That is epic. He is able to read a defense and play right through them. I can’t wait to watch him play next year, and the year after that, and the year after that.” Dimpfl had an .847 save percentage and played a large role in the Vanguards’ success. “He had so many amazing saves,” Holmes said of Dimpfl. “At (the sectional playoff match in) Lake Mills, he gave up his body to take out the ball and the forward. I’m so excited to have him back next year. “We have two of the best keepers in the conference with TJ and sophomore Matthew Loy. These two work together, push each other and make our team stronger because of their attitude.” In addition, sophomore Matthew Russell was chosen as the Vanguards’ Most Improved Player. “Russell is an absolute beast,” Holmes said. “He’s a dual-sport athlete, able to play both soccer and football. On defense, he doesn’t get subbed out. When teammates were injured, he was able to move over to sweeper.” The team also voted Gavin Childs and Caeben Schomber to be the captains next year. “We have a lot of potential for next year,” Holmes said.