Undefeated Watertown Arrows Boys Soccer Team Chases First State Title Against Sioux Falls Lincoln
Northeast Radio SD News – Watertown, SD - The undefeated Watertown Arrows Boys Soccer Team is preparing to make school history on their home field as they compete in the state championship match at the Allen Mitchell Athletic Complex.
The squad, led by Head Coach Jesse Hauck, appeared on Northeast Radio SD to discuss their record-breaking season, team chemistry, and the upcoming title game against Sioux Falls Lincoln.
This season marks Watertown's first time hosting the state soccer championship tournament and the team's first appearance in the final match. The Arrows also secured their first Eastern South Dakota (ESD) Conference title this season, setting a new single-season program record for total goals scored.
A major factor in the team's historic run is the deep familiarity among the roster, which includes 16 seniors. Players noted during the broadcast that many team members have played organized soccer together since they were 7 to 10 years old.
"The season has just kind of been a byproduct of what we've been doing our whole entire lives with each other, just playing what we like to do and doing it together," senior player Owen said. "We're just playing the same game, the same way with each other that we have since we were 10."
Coach Jesse Hauck emphasized that the team's strong foundation comes from years of community and family support.
"There's a lot that goes into it with the parent side of it, and all the coaches they've had over the years," Hauck said. "It's all come together, especially for the senior group this year. It's been awesome to see the crowd we've had, and each game has had more and more people showing up."
The tournament schedule at the Allen Mitchell Athletic Complex features four championship matches:
· Class AA Boys: Watertown vs. Sioux Falls Lincoln at 11:00 a.m.
· Class AA Girls: 1:00 p.m.
· Class A Boys: 5:00 p.m.
· Class A Girls: 7:00 p.m.
As the Class AA Boys match opens the day's tournament slate at 11:00 a.m., players and coaches expect a full stadium as the Arrows pursue their first state title.
