Freshman-heavy team leaves doubts for Loggers' success

Logger soccer player wanted: experience a must!

Libby returns to the pitch this season only two returning starters and six letter-winners. Fifth-year head coach Charlie Webster, fresh off guiding the Loggers to a third place seed in the north conference, will be starting four freshmen against state champion Whitefish on Friday evening.

“In high school, when you start freshmen, they just don’t stack up well,” Webster said. “But these are smart kids who have played soccer at different levels.”

Whitefish returns around eight athletes from its championship team last year, and is obviously the team to beat, although Polson, which lost to the Bulldogs in the championship game, will have a say in the matter.

In a bit of accidental poaching, two starters from last year’s talented squad jumped over to the football team, leaving a chasm between experience levels.

Returners on the team’s stout defense include senior keeper Austin Nagle and senior defenders Chris Lundin and Jake Reny. 

Seniors Jeremy Helmrick and Juan Rios and junior Jason Schnackenberg return in the midfield. Webster has 18 athletes this year.

If the Loggers can mature quickly, they could return to playoffs with a record similar to last year’s 4-5-3. If they start with doubts, it could be a long year for Libby.

The Loggers open home play against Stevensville, 4 p.m. Tuesday.

Whitefish comes to town 6 p.m. Friday, which will be one of the hardest tests for the young Loggers all season.