When you take a look at the 2023 roster for the Lindbergh boy’s soccer team, a lot of familiar faces are returning from last year’s squad that went 16-8 overall.

“It’s going to be a very exciting year,” Lindbergh head coach Mark Giesing said. “We return a lot of guys with varsity experience and have a large senior class.”

Despite having eight returning starters this year, Giesing is quick to note that the Flyers should focus on one game at a time.

“With optimism, you run the risk of looking too far down the road,” Giesing said. ‘So, you’ve got to take it one game at a time and by doing that, we will be ready by the time districts come around.”

Senior Cam Cochran returns for the 2023 season at goalkeeper after posting a record of 8-4 overall with a 1.22 goals against average that included two shutouts.

“Cam did a great job last year and he’s looking like the right guy for us this season at goalie,” Giesing said. “He does a great job for us leading and organizing the defense.”

Speaking of defense, the Flyers return two seniors at center back as Logan Gavwiner and Dom Shepard will roam the backfield with a commanding presence. Both players are also contributors on the offensive side of the ball with Gavwiner notching two goals and Shepard recording two assists last season.

“Both guys are a great physical presence in the backfield and are tight markers,” Giesing said. “They’re both hard to get around and they’re not afraid to get physical out there.”

Seniors Jack Stockman and Elliot Greenwood will protect the backfield at the wing back positions. Stockman was more than a defensive threat when he notched two goals and two assists last year.

“We like our backs to be attack-minded and they bring that ability to our style of play,” Giesing said. “They’re able to bring the ball up the field well into our opponent’s territory.”

At center midfield will be senior Mike

Waller, who recorded two goals during the 2022 season.

“Mike looks sensational right now and is a strong player with great technical skills,” Giesing said. “He’s going to be a cornerstone of this year’s team and will be a critical to our success this year.”

Also seeing time at center midfield are senior Alvi Myrtaj, who scored one goal last season, and junior Ado Keranovic.

“Alvi is a great success story where he’s grown very confident and has gained the nod for the starter’s role,” Giesing said. “Ado has the highest soccer IQ on the team and can distribute the ball all over the place for us.”

The Flyers’ top offensive threat, Luke Giesing, also returns as a senior attacking midfielder returns after racking up seven goals and 13 assists in 2022.

“Luke’s become one of the most dangerous midfielders in the area,” Giesing said. “He has the ability to either shoot or pass the ball off to someone else. He finds a way to get the ball into the goal.”

The Lindbergh offense doesn’t end with Giesing, and features senior strikers Kellen Douglas and Tarik Kapetanovic. Douglas racked up six goals and eight assists in 2022 while Kapetanovic notched six goals and five assists.

“Both Kellen and Tarik were big point earners for us last year,” Giesing said. “They’re both individually talented guys and I think that a lot of our goals will come between the two of them this season.”