NEW PALESTINE — After going from worst to first, what’s next for the New Palestine boys soccer program?
“I don’t know if our expectations, as far as wins and losses, are different,” coach Brett Canova said. “The expectations on the way we’re going to play and how we’re going to train is different. I think everybody understands now that what we’ve been doing the last few years is what we’re going to stick with.”
The Dragons were 2-13 overall and 1-6 in the Hoosier Heritage Conference in 2020.
They turned it around one season later, finishing 7-10 and 5-2 in the HHC.
The five conference wins equaled the amount of league victories the program accumulated from 2018-20. It also gave them a share of the conference title. Four teams, including Greenfield-Central, Pendleton Heights and Yorktown all finished 5-2.
“It’s going to be good hard work all the time,” Canova added. “It doesn’t have to be pretty. We’re committed and dedicated to academics and athletics and making sure we’re working hard at both of them.”
It wasn’t just a quick flip of a switch when the 2021 season got underway.
New Palestine was winless until the fourth match of the season.
“We started off 0-3 and we were a bit disorganized. We weren’t training the way we could. We weren’t training as hard as we could, and we weren’t training together as a group like we wanted,” Canova added. “After that, we got some success against Warren Central and everything clicked. We were just going to work together. For the first time in a while, I think they saw the result when they came out and worked really hard.”
The Dragons will have key contributors returning, but they lost some very good seniors, too.
Among those gone are All-HHC performers Garrett Canova and Ethan Windham, along with starters Zach Smith, Sam Bacon, and Josh Lambdin. There were seven seniors on last year’s team.
Coach Canova said they all will be missed and not just for their contributions on the field. They were part of a culture they hope to carry on.
“I think last year there was a lot of concern that it was going to be like it had been the last couple of years,” coach Canova said. “Our seniors set a good road map in that we don’t have to be the most skilled soccer team out there. But, if we’re willing to put in the work, day in and day out, we can improve, develop and grow and find wins along the way.”
Coach Canova said that attitude has rolled over to this season. Practices have been intense and hard-nosed. He said the team is playing with “intention to become better and not just going through the motions.”
Juniors Elliott Canova and Alex Richwine were All-HHC selections and lead the group of talented returnees. Elliott Canova led the team with 12 goals and five assists. Richwine was a key part of the Dragons defense.
Junior Cohen Wintin had three goals last season. Classmate Andon Colclazier had three assists.
Another key player back from a year ago is senior Cody Crawmer, who doubles as a member of New Palestine’s cross country team.
The coach said Crawmer falls under that same category as last year’s group of seniors. He works hard, is a great teammate and sets a good example for the underclassmen.
“We’re going to lean on him a lot with his work ethic,” coach Canova said. “He doesn’t say a whole lot, but in practice and games he doesn’t quit. He’s always positive. We’re excited to have him back. He’s going to be able to do some things as a senior and guys are going to fall in line behind him because of who he is.”
The Dragons open the season Tuesday, Aug. 16 at Mooresville. The first HHC matchup is a battle of two of the 2021 co-champions. The Dragons play host to Yorktown on Thursday, Aug. 18.
