Hermantown enters the 2026 boys soccer season with something it did not have a year ago: the distinction of defending Lake Superior Conference champion.
The Hawks finished 9-5-4 overall and captured the conference title with a 7-1-3 league record, finishing with 24 points, eight points ahead of runner-up Duluth Marshall. Hermantown outscored its opponents 40-29, posted a 1.61 team goals-against average and received 154 saves from its goalkeepers while earning the No. 3 seed in the Section 7A tournament.
The season featured several signature victories. Hermantown defeated Duluth Marshall 3-0 after losing the first meeting, swept Grand Rapids with two one-goal victories, defeated Cloquet/Esko/Carlton 1-0 and earned conference ties against Duluth Denfeld and Cloquet/Esko/Carlton. The Hawks also recorded shutout victories over Mesabi East Area, Proctor twice, Hibbing/Chisholm and Legacy Christian.
Hermantown advanced to the Section 7A semifinals by defeating Legacy Christian 8-0 before its season ended with a 4-2 loss to Duluth Marshall.
Although several seniors graduated, much of the team's foundation returns.
Goalkeeper Ethan Aysta returns after gaining varsity experience during his junior season, giving Hermantown continuity at one of the game's most important positions. The Hawks also return an experienced defensive group that includes juniors Eyan Winkelman, Owen Dennee, Emmett McDonald and Niccolo Annoni.
The midfield, traditionally the strength of Hermantown's possession-oriented attack, also returns significant experience. Quinn Raukar, Liam Sundell, Keegan Bradley, Jack Johnson, Finn Johnson and Kestan Bradley all return for their senior seasons after contributing throughout last year. Center midfielder Parker Clennon also returns after earning varsity minutes as a sophomore.
Junior forward Trevor Arntson is the Hawks' top returning attacking player and is expected to play a larger offensive role this fall as Hermantown replaces production lost to graduation.
“Parker Clennon is a fantastic player,” said legendary Hawks coach David Thompson. "Ethan, our goalkeeper whom I nominated for all-state a year ago is the best 'keeper in the region this year. Fellow captains Keston Bradley and Quinn Raukar are elite players."
Experience should be one of Hermantown's biggest advantages entering the season. Nine returning upperclassmen played meaningful varsity minutes during last year's conference championship run, giving the Hawks an experienced nucleus that already understands the demands of competing for league and postseason championships.
The conference race is expected to remain competitive. Duluth Marshall, Duluth Denfeld and Grand Rapids all finished within four victories of Hermantown last season, while Cloquet/Esko/Carlton proved difficult to beat in two closely contested matches.
For Hermantown, the formula that produced last year's conference championship remains straightforward: defend consistently, control possession through an experienced midfield and capitalize on scoring opportunities. If the returning core builds on the experience gained during the 2025 season, the Hawks should again contend for the Lake Superior Conference championship and another deep Section 7A tournament run.