Over the past few seasons Towanda boys soccer has shown flashes of the team they want to be, and they're hoping this will be the year they put it all together.

"We have a pretty good team this year," Senior Ben Shrawder said. "A lot of seniors, high expectations - nothing less than that."

The Knights boast 10 seniors this year, a rarity for them. 

"Hopefully it means discipline on the field," Towanda coach Tom Lambert said. "We have 10 seniors, and only one of them didn't play last year. He just decided to play his senior year, but he played at the youth level, so I know he knows the game."

One of those seniors is keeper Blaiz Nichols, who has been holding down the line for the past few seasons.

"It's nice to develop a goalie from freshman year all the way up to senior year," Lambert said. "He's been my goalie all the way from freshman year to senior year. I'm happy with Blaiz."

He earned his 500th career save last season, so brings plenty of experience to the role.

"I've been very excited all summer," said Nichols. "I've been doing winter leagues with the boys, and I'm just ready."

He plans on taking more of a vocal role this season.

"I wasn't very talkative back there in goal but this year I'm going to be," remarked Nichols.

Shrawder battled injuries a year ago as a striker but he's moving back to center mid to run things for the Knights.

"It's a big transition," he said. "At striker you don't run as much, and midfielder, you run six miles a game, so you've got to get up to that pace. You have to be light on your feet, know where you're at all the time - it's constantly scanning."

Joining him in the midfield will be fellow senior Dalton Johnson, who plans on locking down the left side.

"It's definitely just looking for runs, just connecting on the outside, and creating space for everybody inside," Johnson said. 

He's hoping that will lead to a more consistent offense.

"We definitely want to get more goals, and keep games competitive," said Johnson. "Not just giving up in the second half."

Outside of Nichols, though, all positions are tentative until decided otherwise.

"It's just going to be experimental," Lambert said about some of the spots.

Wherever they end up playing, their main goal is to finally break through, and make districts.

"I think we're going to be ready," said Nichols. "Last year, I don't think we were. This year, we're definitely going to be ready. We're going to be scoring more goals, and it's going to be more fun."

ROSTER

Ben Shrawder (12)

Blaiz Nichols (12)

Colt Williams (12)

Hudson Stevens (12)

Brayden Spencer (12)

Braiden Murray (12)

Noah Dalton (12)

Lucas Vincent (12)

Jayden Bartholomew (12)

John Hemphill (12)

Dalton Johnson (11)

Josh Maye (11)

Brody Hennessy (10)

Walter Foley (10)

Kayden Snyder (9)

SCHEDULE

Aug. 29 vs Meadowbrook Christian, 3 p.m.

Sep. 1 vs NPL, 6 p.m.

Sep. 3 vs Wellsboro, 6 p.m.

Sep. 7 at Galeton, 4 p.m.

Sep. 10 vs Athens, 6 p.m.

Sep. 15 at Williamson, 4 p.m.

Sep. 17 vs Troy, 6 p.m.

Sep. 21 at NEB, 4 p.m.

Sep. 23 at Wyalusing, 4 p.m.

Sep. 28 at NPL, 4 p.m.

Sep. 30 at Wellsboro, 5:30 p.m.

Oct. 3 vs Wyalusing, 6 p.m.

Oct. 5 vs Galeton, 6 p.m.

Oct. 7 at Athens, 4 p.m.

Oct. 13 at Troy, 4 p.m.

Oct. 15 vs NEB, 6 p.m.

Oct. 17 at Shamokin, 11 a.m.