For much of the Mitchell High School boys soccer team, it was their first varsity action on Friday.
While it ended with a 3-0 defeat to Sturgis at Joe Quintal Field, coach Ken Novak was pleased with how his team came out to start the season.
"This was a game of seasoning players,” Novak said. “Of the 18 rostered players, 10 of them had their first varsity game. … I was pleased with our tenacity and conditioning."
Trevor Lambert helped the Kernels stick around by saving 26 shots, though the defense by Tanner Wenz and Levi Gebhard also stood out to Novak as Mitchell trailed 1-0 after 70 minutes of play.
However, offensively, the Kernels only managed three shots on goal. Dillon Robinson, Jamison Wear and Elijah Novak each recorded one.
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"Robinson worked hard in the wings and had some penetrating runs,” Novak said. “We need to work on making the transition from the middle third to the attacking third. We will get there and learn with each game."
Despite the loss and Sturgis coming away with a clean sheet, Novak noted his satisfaction of a young bench. Six of Mitchell’s seven reserves are middle schoolers.
"Our reserves are young, but willing and full of heart,” he said. “When you are seeing substitutions, you are seeing players often taking the pitch for the first time. I couldn't be more proud of the way some of these young men played."
The Kernels host Spearfish at 1 p.m. at Joe Quintal Field.
