BELLEVILLE — The Raiders finished a shortened Alternate Fall spring boys soccer season 9-2-1 overall and 7-1 in the Capitol Conference, earning a share of the league crown. In the postseason, Sugar River were regional champions, but lost in the sectional to eventual champion McFarland.

The squad graduated seven key players, including first-team all-conference recipients Breckin Faber and Tyler Stampfl, plus Logan Niesen, a second-team all-conference selection.

“We lost a strong defensive line,” said Bob Gentilli, now in his third year at the helm. His roster this fall has a lot of returning talent, and he is confident in those stepping into roles from the varsity reserve squad, but “it will take some time before they learn the system and are able to trust each other on the field during play.”

Gentilli said his main goal this season is to compete — as always — for the conference championship. The Raiders have finished at the top of the table in five of the past six seasons, missing out by one point in 2017 from having a half dozen years on top. As the Raiders program has proven year after year, and coach after coach, each season seems to be more of a reload instead of a rebuild. Continuing that tradition this year, Gentilli will turn to his seasoned veterans of the pitch to get it done.

“Creating the culture and family atmosphere amongst all players has always been our goal. We try to instill in our players the basic pillars that make successful student-athletes — respect, dedication to self and team, and sportsmanship,” Gentilli said. The team’s motto is “No one walks alone.”

In net returns Cam Kleiboer, who had a strong year as a junior in the spring and was a second-team all-conference pick. Senior first-team all-conference defender Gavin Boyum is back and will serve as a captain along with senior forward/midfielder Carter Siegenthaler. 

Siegenthaler was a first-team all-conference forward last season. Aiden Hatleberg was also a first-team pick in the spring as a freshman midfielder, as was Ryan Downing, now a senior.

Downing is a two-time first-team all-conference player. Siegenthaler was a second team pick in 2019 as a sophomore, while Ben Lukszys, now a senior, was an honorable mention midfielder as a sophomore in 2019.

“We have many young players who will be making an impact,” Gentilli said. “(Hatleberg) is a very solid player in the mid field. We have five varsity reserve players who will be varsity players for us this year, and I am very confident in their play and dedication to the culture of our team. We also have several exciting younger players who will also be in the mix to make a move.”

The coaching staff sees characteristic strengths such as competitiveness and hard work in the Raiders lineup.

“Our strength will be our team’s competitiveness within. We have many players who are excited to play, who believe in our system and who play together. They work hard, they are gentlemen on and off the field, and they are a pleasure to coach,” Gentilli said.

While the Raiders look to once again finish the regular season on top in the Capitol, Gentilli knows that despite his team’s successful history, this year is no pushover, and there is no weak team.

“This year’s conference is up in the air since we haven’t seen many of the teams in more than a year. The Capitol Conference is well-coached, all have different styles, experiences and mind sets that will make our conference a challenge for all teams,” Gentilli said. “Our conference is very unique due to the fact that each team respects each other, plays hard, but in the end, we all realize that it is a game played by gentlemen.”