Niwot boys soccer program loaded with experience

Niwot High School boys soccer coach Stephen Dimit is optimistic about the 2023 squad that begins play at home against Pueblo West High School at 6:30 p.m. on Aug. 17, the first day of school.

"We're pretty senior heavy," Dimit said. "Josh Ary came up big time for us last year," Dimit said of the senior defender. Ary is out for the first game with a minor injury suffered in the first week of practice, but is expected back soon.

Senior midfielder Bo Gardner has moved up the field this year and Dimit expects him to be more on the attack. "Usiel Cruz started every game for us as center back since he was a sophomore," Dimit said of the senior. Dimit is looking forward to having veteran experience on the defensive side.

"Josh Rodriguez and Jett Feiner should provide big time scoring for us," Dimit said. "And we're excited that Paris Lee will finally get to play soccer for us. He's a transfer from Silver Creek and played football last year due to transfer rules. He can play all over the field. We have so many guys returning that figuring out where to play them is the biggest challenge."

Jay Scharfe returns to play outside back, with Noah Beltran returning as a midfielder. Montana Heather, another senior, will return at center back. "He's one of the friendliest kids I've ever coached," Dimit said of Montana.

"The biggest change we have is goalkeeper," Dimit said. He plans to play two juniors, Lucas Willard and Malachi Gilmore. "Both are playing well."

"We have a whole lot of guys up from JV," he continued. Juniors Aidan Carman and Leo Broteland will see action in the back line. "At midfield, Ben Gabrielson has stepped up really big for us. He has become a leader in the first week," he said of the junior. Naveen Bopearachchigedon, another junior, will also see action at midfield.

"Up top we'll have seniors Moses Ramirez and Miles Verbeck back," Dimit said. "We have one sophomore, Xayden Del Rio, I think will be a big scorer for us for a long time."

Veteran coach Brett Butrick, who has been with the program since 2009, returns to coach the JV squad and assist the varsity. Cody Klaiber, a science teacher at NHS, will coach the C team, and Silas Hendrik will assist the varsity. "We're just looking to have a strong, healthy start," Dimit said.