Missing players doesn't deter these Warriors

CEDAR RAPIDS - The record and the ranking are surprises - in a good way.

Cedar Rapids Washington boys' soccer coach J.P. Graham didn't have any idea how his club would react to missing five returning defenders the first part of the season. How it has reacted is with a 6-1 record and No. 7 ranking in Class 3A.

“I really didn't expect 6-1,” Graham admitted. “I thought maybe 4-3 or 5-2. They've slightly exceded my expectations. We have very good leadership on this team.

 “We've had guys step up and play well in positions they normally wouldn't play.”

 The five defenders are out of the lineup because of school conduct violations,

 ineligibility and injury. Slowly but surely, those guys all are returning to the lineup, meaning everyone else can slide back into their regular positions and roles.

Well, most everybody. Guys like Daren Mangold and Jordy Brown have performed so well on defense, they might just stay there.

Graham also touted freshman Jacob Bjornsen (all 5-foot-4 of him) for his stabilizing affect on the back line. Ryan Cain came back out for soccer for the first time in a couple of years and has helped out, too.

“Jordy was a forward and Daren was a midfielder and forward for us,” Graham said. “But we moved them back, and they've both adjusted well. As a matter of fact, Daren just came into my (teaching) room and asked me if he was still going to be playing defense. I just said ‘Yeah, you're still a defenseman.'”

Washington has gotten its usual stellar play from senior midfielder-forward Brandon Besong, a Missouri State signee. Max Versteegh leads the club with six goals, followed closely by Jack Sunderman's four.

“We're just going to keep getting better,” said Graham.

Around the goal

- Marion's boys' snuck into the Class 2A state rankings this week. The Indians (4-0) are an experienced team made up primarily of juniors and seniors. ---- Senior Steen Irish has five early goals for Marion. Senior Zach Nielsen has allowed just three goals.

- Independence's Tori Zasadny leads Class 2A girls in goals with 10, according to QuikStats. Teammates Lyda Kennicker and Natalie Reeder are 1-2 in assists with nine and eight, respectively.

All that damage in four games, by the way. LaPorte City Union's Kylie Powell is first overall with 12 goals in five games.