The ADM boys soccer team returns to the pitch on Monday for the first spring practice, though attendance may be light because of spring break. The Tigers will look to build off another strong campaign, as they went 13-5-1 last season before losing in a Class 2A substate game against eventual state champion Norwalk.

To maintain its high level of play over the past five-plus years, ADM will have to replace a couple of key pieces lost from last year’s team due to graduation. Gone from last year’s squad is points leader Jacob Hutzell, a First Team All-State selection whose team-high 17 goals accounted for over 40 percent of the team’s scoring, and Darold Baker, the keeper who posted a 1.09 goals against average and a .788 save percentage.

Tigers head coach Bill Shields said he’s confident last year’s backup keeper, senior Brett Buscher, will be able to step in and perform right away. The biggest adjustment, he said, will be replacing Hutzell’s scoring.

“I guess it’s up to Johnny Reel and Noah Bardwell and others that want to step up and do step up to take that place,” Shields said. “Somebody’s going to have to score the goals, and probably more so it will fall on Johnny and Noah.”

Bardwell, a junior, and Reel, a senior, are the Tigers’ top two returning goal scorers with 13 goals between them (7 for Bardwell, 6 for Reel).

ADM also returns Second Team All-State center-mid Derek Gushiken, who was fifth on the team with nine points last season.