FAIRMONT — Jarrod Daniel, Leyton Becker, Noah Becker, Dom Armitage, Tyler Head and Cameron Militello all graduated from the Fairmont Area Cardinals boys soccer program in May.

With each playing a major role for the team, the team must now find ways to replace them.

“We lost a lot of key players, so this year we’re really looking to fill some big shoes here, especially in the middle of the field,” Fairmont Area head coach Brady Meyer said. “We’ve got some younger guys, some 10th-graders that are definitely willing to step up and take on those positions.”

Half of the Cardinals’ varsity squad is sophomores — 11 out of 22 players listed on the roster — and Meyer looks to players like Kaleb Hoye and Daniel Brummond to step in right away to help the team.

“Those guys will definitely be filling some big shoes and be contributing quite well for us this year. … They’re looking to cover our center midfield positions and the striker position as well,” Meyer said. “Aaron (Hendricks) will be filling in occasionally, too. He’s a 10th-grader who will fill (play) defense in the middle as well.”

The Cardinals do, however, return senior captain Tom Havnen, who was a key player for the team last season.

“Tom is going to be one of our main strikers, so he’ll be very key for offensive pushes. He’s definitely grown a lot stronger and faster in the last year or so,” Meyer said, “so, he’s going to be a big threat for us offensively.”

Other senior captain Jacob Mitchell brings back some experience and leadership, and will play on the outside in the midfield for Fairmont Area.

“He’s a great, great leader on and off the field. A little quiet at times, but when he talks, people take notice and listen,” Meyer said.

Junior Matthew Anderson and senior Darrin Thingstad, who is nursing a sprained ankle, are the other team captains.

Overall, the Cardinals are monitoring a few health issues among the team and hope to have everyone ready to go for the season-opener against the Worthington Trojans at 6:30 p.m. tonight at Worthington.

“(Worthington) has always been one of our main opponents or rivals in years past. We start out right away with them,” Meyer said. “With Worthington being one of the top teams in our section and conference, it’s a huge measuring stick to see how we fit, kind of, with the rest of the (Big South) Conference and Section (2A).”

On Saturday, Fairmont Area travels to New Ulm for a 1 p.m. BSC clash.

The Cardinals’ home-opener of the season is Tuesday, Aug. 29, when they take on Mankato Loyola at Kot Soccer Complex in Fairmont.

Each game this season will be used as a measuring stick in order to mature the players and improve the team.

Along with a new group of players comes a new coach. Former Fairmont Area and recent Buena Vista University graduate Matt Tennyson joins the coaching staff. Ironically, Meyer was part of the Cardinals boys soccer coaching staff when Tennyson was a goalie in high school.

“I’ve been here for 12 years now. We were just talking about that and I said, ‘Yeah, I taught him (Tennyson) everything he knows. We had six years and then I sent him off for five and now he’s back,'” Meyer laughed. “Just his knowledge coming back and sharing it with the other guys here has been awesome.

“It’s been fun to have him come back and help contribute to the program that helped him get to where he is today, too.”

Tennyson will have a group of three goaltenders to work with, all of whom have some experience in the net as they try to fill the void left by Daniel.

” (Senior) Lucas Simpson, right now he’s looking at playing goaltender actually, but we don’t know. He was having some health issues,” Meyer said. “Malachi (Anderson) will be stepping in for our keeper position and also Tyson Geerdes. Both of those guys are very, very exceptional goaltenders and, as of right now, will be sharing duties.”

Despite having a very young team, Meyer is encouraged by the team’s work ethic and overall team chemistry between the younger and older players.

No matter situation what the Cardinals were given, Meyer said his team took everything in stride and continued to work.

“I definitely think with the large number of 10th-graders stepping in and playing at a high level, I really see us having tons of energy, willing to learn new things,” he added. “It’s been all-around a really good environment for us. They’re all very positive and ready to go.”