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The Hermantown Hawks boys soccer team closed the 2025 season with a 9-5-4 overall record and a 7-1-3 mark in the Lake Superior Conference, finishing first in league play and advancing to the Section 7A semifinals.
Head coach David Thompson credited his seven seniors for setting the tone from start to finish.
“We had great leadership all season from our seven senior players,” Thompson said. “Captains Hunter Nelson, Quinn Andrews, and Brennan Malmstrom were all named to the All-Conference team, and Hunter Nelson was named to the All-State team.”
That leadership carried Hermantown through a steady fall campaign. The Hawks opened postseason play with a convincing victory over Legacy Christian Academy before falling 4-2 to Duluth Marshall on Oct. 9 in the Section 7A semifinals. Nelson scored directly off a corner kick — an olímpico — while Quinn Raukar added another goal in the season finale.
Thompson said his captains provided “excellent communication and leadership verbally and by example,” helping a deep roster stay focused and unified.
He also highlighted the team’s adaptability, pointing to seniors Ty McDonald and Dom Sather as players who could fill any role when called upon.
“They are both a soccer version of a Swiss Army knife,” Thompson said. “They were instrumental in playing their respective roles as both defenders and offensive players when needed. They were adaptable in many important roles.”
Two other seniors, Josef Olsen and Max Paczynski, returned to the program this fall and earned the coach’s respect for their steady contributions.
“Both played unselfish and important positions,” Thompson said. “They were a constant source of positive energy and hard work.”
As Hermantown looks ahead, Thompson said the 2025 seniors leave more than a strong record behind.
“I am proud of each of them,” he said. “They will be impossible to replace, but they leave an excellent legacy of class and excellent character.”