Austin soccer players hitting the road
Published 9:14 pm Wednesday, January 9, 2019
The band is getting back together for a reunion tour.
Four former Packer boys soccer players who have been apart of the team’s run to the state semifinals over the last two seasons will be reunited this summer with the Rochester Football Club, a new semi-pro team that will compete in its inaugural season this summer.
The players include current Iowa Lakes Community College players and Austin grads OJ Cham, LJ Okal and Austin seniors Mooday Wah and Kevin Ortiz.
Austin’s OJ Cham takes the ball under pressure during the Minnesota Class A Boys Soccer Tournament semifinals at US Bank Stadium. Herald File Photo
“Soccer really is growing in Minnesota and I hope the colleges go along with that trend,” Cham said. “Playing together again will be a dream come true. When we found out most of us made it, we were very excited. We knew this summer is going to be a movie.”
The RFC is coached by Muharem Dedic, a native of Bosnia, who had a long playing career that included a five-year stint in Germany. Dedic is also the JV coach for Rochester Century’s boys soccer team.
Dedic is looking for local players to get a chance at proving themselves in front of college coaches and he’s glad to have some Austin players on his roster.
Austin’s Lonyjera Okal fires the ball past Lourdes goalie Jaxon Hopkins for his second goal of the first half in the Section 1A title game. Herald File Photo
“I followed Austin really closely and they had some great kids on the team,” Dedic said. “I love coaching and I enjoy working with local kids and the local talent.”
Okal and Cham have both received a taste of college soccer and it’s driven them to want to improve on their game this summer.
“I think we need to put in some work. The college experience was good. We’re learning and we’re getting used it,” Okal said. “Soccer is a part of my life. I want to keep playing and see where I can go with it. I feel like our old team is back together. It’s a great opportunity for us to play together again.”
Austin’s Kevin Ortiz carries the ball early in the first half during the Section 1A semifinals at Art Hass Stadium. Herald File Photo
Midhat Mujic, a player for RFC, also grew up in Bosnia and he played against the Packers in high school while playing for Rochester Mayo. He went out his way to invite some of the Austin players to the RFC’s tryouts.
“We wanted to build a local team that has local guys on it,” Mujic said. “Our goal is to make this a full local team for our local players to get exposure to higher level soccer and college teams. We’ll have videos for them and get coaches to come to our games.”
Cham said he’s hoping that Austin soccer continues to grow and he expects the RFC to be another opportunity for players who are looking to get to the next level.
“They need something better than can challenge them more than high school or youth soccer,” Cham said. “That’s where this team comes in. They’re competitive.”
The RFC will begin play in the UPSL Midwest Conference North Division, and will host its home games at 5,000-seat Rochester Memorial Stadium on the campus of Rochester Community and Technical College.
Mooday Wah competes for the ball with Holy Family’s Luke Puklich in Prior Lake High School. Herald File Photo