As several of Mark Dotseth’s Air Academy teammates gradually fell by the wayside last year in the boys soccer state tournament, the Kadets standout made a shrewd decision.
Realizing his leadership skills would prove more critical than his impressive physical skills, Dotseth immediately rallied his teammates, kept them focused on the big prize and ultimately came through in the Class 4A title match against Broomfield.
“One thing is we were lucky enough that we had talented young guys that could step in,” Dotseth said. “I stayed focused on what we could win. We had an easy go of it for most of the season. When it became difficult in the playoffs, we were able to still get together and get it done.”
That experience could pay dividends for the Kadets again as Dotseth, the reigning 4A player of the year and a Loyola Marymount recruit, will look to keep the top-ranked Kadets in the hunt for a repeat crown despite a rash of unexpected offseason setbacks.
During the playoffs last year, Air Academy lost a starting defender and also lost starting goalkeeper Peter Vogrin to a knee injury during its semifinal win against Mullen. Dotseth did not let his teammates get sidetracked by the injuries, and the senior defender will have to take on a similar role this season.
Already adjusting to the graduation of two of the team’s top three scorers, the Kadets suffered another setback over the summer when Nathan Rubio, owner of nine goals and 10 assists last year, was lost for the season because of a knee injury. The Kadets also will play without Geno Bigelow, who opted not to come out after posting 12 goals and 24 assists last season.
Such losses might ruin most teams, but Air Academy boasts a leader with unusual talents in Dotseth. A natural defender, Dotseth often is sent forward whenever the Kadets need to jump-start their attack, and typically it does not take long for Dotseth to make a mark when he shifts to offense. He finished last season with 16 goals and 12 assists, producing an assist on Air Academy’s lone goal in the championship victory against Broomfield.
“Not just on the field, but off the field and in practice, he’s a leader,” Air Academy coach Espen Hosoien said. “He never bad-mouths anyone, yet he really tries to bring everyone up to his level, and that has a big impact on the young guys.
“If we need a goal, I take my chances in back and put him up top. Usually he makes something happen within the first five to 10 minutes. I can put him anywhere, and he makes a huge difference.”
Boys soccer preview
CLASS 5A
Cherry Creek is perhaps the state’s deepest team and is the early favorite to retain its state championship crown. The Bruins brought several freshmen off the bench during its playoff run, adding young talent to a solid mix that includes a veteran defense and All-Colorado midfielder Karsten Hanlin. ThunderRidge returns its entire lineup from last year’s semifinal run and will compete for playoff positioning with Fairview, Grandview and Arapahoe.
Top teams
1. Cherry Creek
2. ThunderRidge
3. Fairview
4. Grandview
5. Arapahoe
6. Boulder
7. Fort Collins
8. Ralston Valley
9. Liberty
10. Abraham Lincoln
Returning all-state players: Karsten Hanlin, Cherry Creek, Sr.; Jack Huettel, Boulder, Sr.; Erin Kronenberg, Fairview, Jr.; Lexington Leitmayr, ThunderRidge, Sr.; Jake Martinez, Liberty, Sr.; Jesus Martinez, Fort Collins, Sr.; Christian Nicolosi, Mountain Vista, Sr.; Shane O’Neill, Fairview, Sr.; Israel Robledo, Abraham Lincoln, Sr.
CLASS 4A
Air Academy boasts the classification’s best player in Mark Dotseth, but the loss of several key contributors will drop the Kadets closer to the pack. Broomfield, as always, will be a factor, and Evergreen could make a title run if it is able to find a consistent scoring punch without 23-goal scorer Danny Jensen.
Top teams
1. Air Academy
2. Broomfield
3. Mullen
4. Evergreen
5. Cheyenne Mountain
6. D’Evelyn
7. Durango
8. Palmer Ridge
9. Lewis-Palmer
10. Pueblo Centennial
Returning all-state players: Danny Childs, Sand Creek, Sr.; Mark Dotseth, Air Academy, Sr.; Skyler Erickson, Mullen, Sr.; Ben Grieve, Evergreen, Sr.; Akio Ohtake-Gordon, Wheat Ridge, Sr.; Peter Vogrin, Air Academy, Sr.
CLASS 3A
The classification’s top powers hail from the Colorado Springs area, as The Classical Academy, Colorado Springs Christian and defending champion St. Mary’s will vie for the state crown. Faith Christian, which boasts three all-state players and a veteran lineup, is the class of the rugged 3A Metro League.
Top teams
1. The Classical Academy
2. C.S. Christian
3. Faith Christian
4. St. Mary’s
5. Kent Denver
6. Denver Christian
7. Colorado Academy
8. Roaring Fork
9. Coal Ridge
10. Peak to Peak
Returning all-state players: Adrian Alegria, Weld Central, Sr.; Jacob Calhoun, St. Mary’s, Jr.; Sam Carpenter, Roaring Fork, Sr.; Ben Fetter, St. Mary’s, Sr.; Adam Finnefrock, Faith Christian, Sr.; Jesse Ham, Denver Christian, Sr.; Sawyer Lincoln, Manitou Springs, So.; Cameron McCaslin, Faith Christian, Sr.; Matthew McGinley, Heritage Christian, Jr.; Josh Mesward, The Classical Academy, Sr.; Joe Morales, St. Mary’s, Sr.; Andrew Myres, Colorado Academy, Sr.; Rod O’Dorisio, Faith Christian, Sr.; Josh Perkins, Community Christian, Sr.; Willy Salamancha, Basalt, Jr.; Kiefer Solarte, Kent Denver, Sr.; Peter Tonsits, The Classical Academy, Jr.; Ryan Urwiller, Peak to Peak, Sr.; Evan Young, C.S. Christian, Jr.
