Aquinas Catholic sophomore Gus Indrik made his debut for the Scotus Central Catholic boys soccer team on Saturday.
Indrik became the first Monarch to suit up for the Scotus youth soccer team since the co-op began in 2022.
“I think we've done a really good job,” Indrik said. “I think this year's team is pretty good and I think we can definitely put together a good season.”
Indrik ran track and field for Aquinas last year, but the desire to go play soccer persisted. After encouragement from his family and friends, he decided to make a career change.
“I've been thinking about it the last few years,” Indrik said. “They thought I would do pretty well there. I just listened to them and the results were pretty good.”
Indrik said he played youth soccer primarily in midfield or forward until eighth grade.
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“It was definitely a challenge,” Indrik said. “I've lived up to that challenge, and the coaches have pushed me further than I ever have, and I think it's paid off.”
The sophomores join a young Scotus squad that has graduated nine seniors and only has three on this year's team.
“I think it’s definitely beneficial for us and the younger kids because we get to learn from a few seniors and a few juniors,” Indrik said. “They definitely help us and definitely push us to be better.”
Scotus dropped its first two games of the season in Saturday's home tournament. The Shamrocks returned from the state qualifiers with losses to Omaha Gross Catholic 2-1 and South Sioux City 4-0.
SCOTUS hosted Holdage on Tuesday. The next games are Friday at Omaha Burke, followed by a road game at Council Bluffs-St. Albert on Monday and a home game against Blair on Tuesday.
“I want to play a lot with the national team,” Indrik said. “We just have to play as a team and get to the state tournament.
Izzy Cadaby started for the Shamrock girls soccer team in Friday's season opener at Bennington. The Badgers scored in the 11th and 49th minutes, and Scotus lost 2-0.
The Shamrocks welcomed Holdreage on Tuesday. They play back-to-back road games Friday at Elkhorn and Monday at Omaha Concordia.
Sam Ficarro is a sports reporter for The Banner-Press. Email us at DVDsports@lee.net.