If the Wauwatosa West boys soccer team is going to be successful, the Trojans will have to work hard and work together.
'This group of boys has seen their share of distractions and underachievement the past couple of years and are looking to return Tosa West to where it belongs — at the top of the Woodland Conference,' coach Ryan Bailey said.
'This group understands that it will take working for each other to achieve their goals. I have asked that they take responsibility for themselves and their teammates. If mistakes are made, they should be pointed out constructively while praise should be given when success is achieved.
'This will help the boys be aware of the game and how the level of play can be improved or changed.'
Of the 12 returning letterwinners, only four are seniors — Jack Coleman, Kyle Bernstein, Riley Smith and Walker Haanstad.
Returning juniors are Jonathon Meyer, Nolan Billstrom, Jack Krenzien, Devin Zanskas, Alex Stanisic, Nick Stanisic and D.J. Dickson. Addison Leisten is the only sophomore.
Bailey said newcomers to watch are freshmenCole Seabrook and Jorge Davila, sophomoreBen Lawrence, juniorsAlex Wimmer, Ben Ciha, Sage Schram, Pedro Fortuna and Jimmy Wenzel and seniorTyus Stoltenberg.
Midfielder Nick Stanisic and defender Krenzien are second-team all-conference returnees and captains are Bernstein and Krenzien.
Bailey hopes a coaching decision pays off this year.
'We have switched players to different positions in order to maximize the talent on our roster,' Bailey said.
Bailey is one of four former Trojan players coaching this team.
Joining him are Ryan Soderberg (JV2), Patrick Gilbertson (varsity assistant) and Sean Sigrist (varsity assistant/goalkeeping coach).
All four have been on conference, regional and sectional championship teams.
One new addition to the staff is Jacob Streicher (JV1), who had a successful career at West Allis Hale and Concordia University-Wisconsin.
'He has a passion for the game that matches the rest of the staff,' Bailey said. 'We are constantly talking soccer and sharing experiences, tactics and training drills.'