LAKEVILLE - As the 2024 LaVille boys soccer team returns for the new season, there will be a little bit of a transition period. LHS welcomes in first-year coach Keith Norman and, with the move to the Indiana Northern State Conference, new conference opponents. According to Norman, the coaching change has gone pretty well. "I believe it’s a testament to the previous coaching staff preparing the boys for not only soccer but life as well," said Norman.  "Change is imminent, resistance is futile, and adaptation is a necessity. The response most noticeable is communication. Communication has increased slightly week by week. Communication increases are attributed to increased confidence. Confidence is the key to any sport as well as a leading principle in a successful life." With 15 letterwinners returning, Norman, who is assisted by Andrew Doyle and Tony Rowe, there are numbers to contribute from a competitive 2023 squad. Among those leaders are senior Kalib Belknap, junior Ryan Maenhout, and senior Sam Sherk. "LaVille is a small school with a limited number of athletes available," noted the Lancer skipper.  "These seniors played a crucial role 3 years ago. These guys voluntarily signed up for a struggling program with low participation numbers. I believe over the last few years these guys have developed a sense of resiliency that permeates through every other class of players. The level of composure and self-motivation the senior class possesses is well beyond their age." Norman was brought on near the end of the school year and was able to put together an off-season workout plan for the team as they prepared for the 2024 season. "The coaching staff provided specific summer training heavily focused on strength and fitness for the upcoming season," explained Norman.  "Our roster has a total of 16 spots and our average attendance was 13 per night. The mental attitude and effort these boys bring each night is refreshing. We don’t like to review individual opponents and tailor practices to situational coaching. We prefer to remain consistent in developing general soccer awareness and IQ. The goal is to provide tools and education for creating solutions. We train the brain; we condition the body, the game will provide problems for the boys to solve together." With the graduation of LaVille's leading scorer - Kaiden Cundiff - we asked coach Norman where the scoring will come from during 2024? "I wouldn’t say there is a “who”, to look for specifically," says Norman.  "We look at offensive tactics more pragmatically. This is a team of individuals with an array of different talents and strengths. The playing style and attacking instructions will be adapted to the players’ characteristics within the attacking group. We like to highlight players’ key skills and then align them with attacking responsibilities. Hopefully these ideas lead to creative problem solving. Creating goals is up to the boys, but creating additional scoring opportunities is a team responsibility." The defensive unit, however, returns several key cogs, led by Sherk. "We are fortunate to have an experienced group to form the spine of the team," noted Norman. "Organization and discipline are cornerstones of defensive foundational skills. Which is why we are fortunate to have Sam Sherk, a returning senior CB (center back). The backline will be a group of older classmen that really grasp the concept of “servitude”. The team's confidence is derived from the defensive unit's capability and selflessness to win the ball and deny opportunities. The coaching staff has observed over the past weeks of training their willingness to promote their teammates’ well-being before their own." Another crucial cog in the defensive link is the goal keeper. Maenhout, who logged more than 125 saves last season, returns for his third season in goal. "Ryan has the mental attitude and work rate any next level coach will appreciate," explained Norman.  "Ryan's advanced mobility and effective ball control allow us more freedom and confidence in possession. His experience in goal should provide the confidence needed to cover much more than just a goalbox this year. This isn’t a time where he can rest on his previous achievements. This is a time he will focus on assuming full accountability of the team’s outcome. How can he help the team continually improve while playing an isolated position?" With early question marks in offense, an experienced defense and goalie, we asked the LaVille coach about keys to success this season. "There is a Key," says Norman. "“Mentality”, Dogs for life. Effort and Attitude. Skill is something everchanging. Mentality is a set of standards specifically trained to empower young men to cope with pressure, stress, and anxiety. We don’t just talk about it, we train it." Along with the letterwinners, LaVille has four newcomers to the team - senior foreign exchange student Nicolo Micheli, along with freshmen Ethan Beelby, Lucas McCormack, Hudson Rush. "The freshmen teammates stepped into this team with vigor," concluded Norman, when asked about the newcomers.  "The training the younger classmen have put in demonstrates their lack of content with being a freshmen substitute. These guys are pushing for starting positions and additional minutes on the field. Nicolo is a well rounded player capable of playing anywhere on the field. He will make for a great asset to the team." LaVille opens the regular season on August 20 at Granger Christian (5:30pm start).  The first home match will be August 21 against Westville (5:30pm) at Newton Park. Newton Park and LaVille will also play host to the Indiana Northern State Conference Championships on September 28. Joining the Lancers in the INSC Championships will be Bremen, Glenn, and Tippecanoe Valley. Official start times and pairings will be announced at a later date.  * * * * * LAVILLE BOYS SOCCER Head Coach: Keith Norman (1st season) Assistant Coach: Andrew Doyle 2023 Record: 2-11 (1-2 HNAC)  Letterwinners Lost (1): Kaiden Cundiff Letterwinners Returning (15): Seniors - Braeden Balmer (D), Kalib Belknap (MF/S), Aiden Johnson (D), Sam Sherk (D). Juniors - Isaac Beelby (D), Remington Loftus (MF), Ryan Maenhout (GK), Jackson McNerney (MF), Zain Sattar (D), Caden Wise (MF). Sophomores - Colin Andert (MF), Brian Burghduf (MF), Ryder Devon (MF), Liam Stough (MF), Braxton Stone (MF). Newcomers: Senior - Nicoli Micheli (D) Freshman - Ethan Beelby (MF/S), Lucas McCormack (D), Hudson Rush (MF). Opener: August 20 at Granger Christian, 5:00 p.m.