HIGH SCHOOL JOURNALISM: Regals open season ranked No. 1 and chasing another state title

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By Fritz Wagner, Regina junior

IOWA CITY - The Regina boys' soccer team began their season with a 5-1 win over Mount Pleasant on Tuesday at home.

Junior Aaron Schmitz led the way with a hat trick. A.J. Adam and Nick Ziniel also scored for the Regals. Ryan Lynch, Michael Adam, and A.J. Adam (2) assisted.

Rick Larew, who has coached Regina soccer for 13 years, and the Regals are chasing their fourth consecutive state championship.

Last year, Larew was inducted into the Iowa High School Soccer Coaches' Association. This season brings new challenges for the proven coach as he leads a relatively inexperienced team.

All-state midfielder Lynch is the only returning all-state player. Regina lost Dan Larew, John Rummlehart and Zach Pechous to graduationlast year.

Despite the loss of many key players, the IHSSCA ranked Regina No. 1 in Class 1A to start the season.

Championships don't come without great plays. In 2010, Lynch scored in overtime to beat Holy Trinity for a championship, and in 2011, Chris Nott scored the only goal of the game to take down Solon in the championship game.

Lynch and Nott are seniors this year. Larew will look to them to lead a young team that has seven freshmen, including Jacob Adam, Conner Brown and Teddy Nepola. All three played in Regina's opener.

“We have a lot of talent coming up from the freshmen," Nott said. "Great players, great leadership and hard work will lead to a successful season."

The Regals play again on April 13 at Mid-Praire.