Mielke takes over the helm at LHS

WHAT NEXT? The La Grande Tigers boys soccer team enters the 2009 season with a new coach, Dan Mielke. Observer file photo

The Tigers enter this season with Dan Mielke as their head coach, taking over for the departed Zachary Lauritzen.

But this year’s team brings back five players who were key to last season’s success.

La Grande back to the postseason and back to the top of the district.

“We have a good returning core of players,” Mielke said. “They are a really positive bunch that understand the game well.”

Mielke also added that junior Edgar Arceo will be looked to  play a major role this season if the Tigers want to win.

La Grande has been practicing for two weeks now, but there are still many question marks as to where everyone will play.

“There are still a lot of position battles out there,” Mielke said. “It’s hard to evaluate players when we haven’t played a game yet, but we’ll get it worked out in the next week or so.”

Most of the players on this squad have been playing together for years, something Mielke hopes will be an advantage for the Tigers this season.

“The players are really comfortable playing together because they have been playing for so long. It makes it really easy on a coach when there is that familiarity already with the team.”

The players are also familiar with their new head coach. Mielke has been involved with soccer in this area for a long time, including 10 years in charge of the select program.

“A lot of these kids played for me when they were younger,” Mielke said. “I’ve been watching them come up through the ranks for a while now.”

That comfort level is something that the Tigers will need if they want to de-thrown Mac-Hi, who has won three district titles in the last five years.

“This team works really hard and displays a lot of intensity,” Mielke said. “I expect us to compete hard all season.”

Expectations aside, Mielke did add that this team is capable of making the state tournament again, where they lost in the second round last season after beating Sisters in the first round.

The season kicks off on Sept. 4 with the Pendleton Jamboree. This consists of two or three abbreviated games, with the halves lasting just 20 minutes.

“It’s a good way to start the season,” Mielke said. “It really gives us an opportunity to evaluate the players in real game situations.”

The following Thursday La Grande will go back to Pendleton to face off against the Bucks, before making their home debut against Payette High School on Sept. 15.