Alex Eisen/MDN Minot High goalkeeper JJ Dufner prepares to make a save during practice Monday afternoon at Duane Carlson Stadium in Minot.

Two touches, move the ball quickly or start again. The Minot High School boys soccer team had to think and move fast Monday afternoon in a variety of practice drills designed to test speed and composure.

It was a final preparation session before the Magicians hit turf this evening for their season opener against Dickinson.

“For these first two weeks of practice, there has been a ton of energy and a lot of fun,” MHS head coach Creighton Bachmeier said. “The older group with Walter Markle, Reegan Meyer, Cameron Bolinske and Kam Foley really brought good energy to show these younger guys how fast we have to play. We brought a little more urgency into our preseason than we have in the past.”

Seniors Markle and Bolinske will control the midfield with junior Ezra Hagerott and freshman Brayden Oswalt.

“Those four guys are going to log a lot of miles,” Bachmeier said. “We need to keep them healthy because they do so much for us offensively and defensively. We rely on our midfield play to keep us balanced.”

Markle and Hagerott scored Minot’s two goals in the state tournament last year. Both goals came in a 3-2 loss to Grand Forks Central in a state consolation game after the Magi lost 3-0 to Fargo South in the opening round.

“I don’t expect us to be at our peak performance right away,” Markle said. “But, I think we can come out strong and show everybody what we got. Find a good spot that we can keep building up for the rest of the season.”

The Magi posted a 6-9-2 (5-5-2 WDA) record last year. They are grateful for the opportunity to improve on that mark and possibly make an 11th straight state tournament appearance.

“Feels good,” Hagerott said about being on the pitch. “It’s better than sitting home and doing nothing. We get to play with our friends.”

Senior striker Foley led the Magi with four goals and six points during the WDA regular season last year. He will be the focal point up front surrounded by a rotating cast of underclassmen.

The backline also features a standout senior in Meyer.

“He has come a long way as a center back, not just his technical skills but his tactical IQ and how he has verbally got everybody on the same page,” Bachmeier said. “In order to stay in games and keep bodies up the pitch, we have to retain possession and rely on him to make sure guys are in the right place, so we didn’t give up counter-attacks.”

The biggest question mark for Minot can be found in the goal. The Magi have two goalkeepers, senior transfer Xander Herrman and sophomore JJ Dufner, battling for time between the posts.

“Big shoes to fill with Braden Cochran gone,” Bachmeier said. “We have a senior that has logged some varsity minutes in Kansas that recently moved over the summer (Herrman), and we have a 10th grader JJ Dufner who has put a lot of time in. It’s been a fun competition so far. But, only one of them can play. I know that whoever doesn’t end up starting is going to keep pushing to make that position competitive throughout the year. It’s definitely a spot where we need to feel the two guys out.”

The Magi get underway against Dickinson at 7 p.m. this evening at Duane Carlson Stadium.

Each Minot High player, coach and manager will be allowed to have four people attend. Dickinson will be allowed two people to attend per player, coach, and manager. There will be a list at the door for sign-in for those attending.

For additional students and fans, there will be an extra 150 passes that will be first come first serve. Limit concessions and tickets will need to be purchased.

“Sports is always a learning environment,” Bachmeier said. “Well, now we have been thrown the biggest test, and that goes for everybody currently living. We need to make sure we do our due diligence and stay disciplined, so we can continue to play soccer. I hope we get through it, and this group doesn’t take anything for granted because we could very well wake up tomorrow and our circumstances have changed.”

Alex Eisen covers Minot State athletics, the Minot Minotauros and high school sports. Follow him on Twitter @AEisen13.