Following a 15-5-2, ETHS’ boys soccer team’s season ended earlier than they hoped. This season, however, is made up of mostly returning players and aims to keep improving to make it further in the playoffs.

“I’d say all of last season was a challenge for me personally and the team,” senior Quinn Ackman said. “We didn’t make it as far in the playoffs as in the previous three years, and that didn’t sit well with us. It has driven us to stay committed through the summer and has brought us closer together as a group.”

Ackman, who scored five goals last season, feels confident that this year the Kits can advance further than last year and make his senior year a strong one.

“We’ve set some pretty high expectations for ourselves because we know we have the quality and depth to get down state,” Ackman explained. “We have seven returning players from last year’s playoffs. Having that many experienced players gives us an edge on other schools in our conference who have mostly new teams.”

Ackman and the rest of the Kits open up their season next Monday, facing off against Hoffman Estates at Lazier Field on Aug. 26 at 7 p.m.