Kouts loss gives lesson

Crown Point's Aquid Bernard (left), goes one-on-one against Kouts' Jake Lambert.
(Leslie Adkins/Post-Tribune)

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KOUTS -- Usually the guys who build foundations are roughnecks who sling bricks and have hands about as smooth as cobblestone. It's not an honest day's work if you're not sweating before the sun rises. Such is the attitude of Kouts soccer.

The first-year varsity Mustangs are concerned about building for the future, but also defining Kouts soccer for both themselves and their opponents.

The first-year varsity Mustangs are concerned about building for the future, but also defining Kouts soccer for both themselves and their opponents.

"Fast and very physical," is how sophomore Synde Robertson describes it. "That's Kouts soccer."

"Fast and very physical," is how sophomore Synde Robertson describes it. "That's Kouts soccer."

Monday evening the 'Stangs hosted a talented Crown Point junior varsity squad who was able to counter Kouts' aggression with patience and movement. The Bulldogs prevailed with a 4-1 win, but as with every game in this season of firsts, the Mustangs learned something.

"We learn a lot from all the big schools we play," Robertson said. "Stuff like communication and passing."

Monday night, senior leader Charlie Detraz learned a lesson about temperament. Detraz was yellow-carded for the sixth time this season and now will have to sit a game.

That little-brother-chip-on-their-shoulder aggression is part of Kouts soccer, but can't go unchecked according to coach Robert Dowhen.

"We're always called the 'little school,' or 'first-year team,'" Dowhen said. "We have an expectation about the level of soccer that we play here, we have to have confidence in our game and win the game in our minds before the whistle is even blown."

Detraz was around the last couple of years as the Mustangs played on the junior varsity circuit before being granted varsity status this season. "I'd say we're a little more than a developing team at this point," Detraz said. "We started off really good with the state record for goals, but we're still learning stuff and still a pretty good team."

Kouts (6-4) opened the season with a 10-1 win over Westville, and a 12-0 win over Washington Township which according to Detraz was a state record for goals in the opening two games.

But then tough games against schools like Penn, Boone Grove and Hanover Central brought the Mustangs back to Earth.

"I think Penn is about the biggest school Kouts has ever played in the history of Kouts," Dowhen said.

"I like playing all those big schools though," said freshman Kevin Hemdal, "it's good experience and will help us down the road."

Monday against Crown Point, another freshman, Winston Yergler, scored the Mustangs' only goal. Brett Boyer had a pair of scores and an assist for the 'Dogs, while Joey Davis and Brandon Tomko also scored.