2020 was the 27th season of Norwalk Soccer. It all started in 1992/93 when a group of 8th graders petitioned to start a soccer team. That Summer, some of those 8th graders were on a student selection committee to help hire teachers.

When a young social studies teacher out of Simpson College had soccer coaching on his resume, none of the other teachers had a chance! The program was started as a co-ed club team for the 1993/94 school year.

That first season in the Summer of 1994 was rough as the team only had one senior, and finished 0-13 with 6 goals for and 51 against. But it set the foundation for what was to come, and everyone was just happy to represent the Warriors on the soccer field.

So 2020 joins 1994 as the only teams without a win, but also ends as the only season without a loss!

The Summer of 1995 was year two for the co-ed Norwalk High School Soccer team. Still a young team, but a lot of optimism that the team would be improved! Coach @ScallonTom was in his second year as head coach, and Alan Brommel was the assistant coach.

The Warriors did get that first win (trivia challenge, does anyone remember who that win was against?) and Coach Scallon got to open his new pair of Copas! The team improved to a nearly 0.500 record finishing 6-7-2 with 22 goals for and 35 against.

In the Summer of 1996 the Norwalk Soccer program was hoping to take another step forward in the program and Coach Scallon's third year. There was a lot of returning experience, but leading scorer Josh Hansen had graduated in 1995.

While the Warriors were more competitive in all games, that wasn't reflected in the final record of 5-8-1. The Warriors were only -6 in goal differential that year though, so there were many close games, they just needed to learn how to win!

The Summer of 1997 completed the first four year class for the Warrior Soccer program. With a lot of seniors, expectations were high, but the team still found it challenging to win close games and turn the corner, finishing with a record of 5-9.

Andy Burbank was the career leader in goals with 11 in his career and Ben Rasmussen and Dustin Kralik were tied with 6 career assists. Dave Thomas was the career leader in saves with 195. This would be the last season of summer soccer.

In 1998 Norwalk soccer moved to the Spring season and became eligible for the post season. The Warriors had finally turned a corner with a record of 11-6 and a goal differential of +13.

This would be the first winning record in program history, and would start a streak of 20 consecutive seasons with a winning record.

Dan Fox took over the career scoring record with 15 goals.

Sorry for picture quality, 1998 is one of the few team pictures I don't have.

1999 saw some change to the Norwalk soccer team. After leading both the boys and girls teams during the 97 and 98 seasons, Coach @ScallonTom stayed with the boys program while assistant coach Alan Brommel took over as head coach of the girls program.

Brommel was replaced as assistant coach by former player Dustin Kralik.
The team finished at 11-5, and established a new program best for goal differential at +29. Jacob Gassmann took over the career goals mark with 21 and Sedi Halvorson became the career assist leader with 13.

The 2000 season started with high hopes of appearing at state for the first time. Norwalk ended 12-6, with a +36 goal differential and 6 shutouts. But it ended in heartbreaking fashion as the Warriors lost in double overtime to defending state champ Waukee in the substate final.

Jon Stageman became the first Warrior to be named first team All-State, setting a new standard with 68 career goals. John Strawn set the career record with 19 assists.

This would also be the final game for Coach @ScallonTom as head coach, after leading the program for seven years from its inception (also 2 years as head coach of the girls team). Scallon finished with a career record of 50-54-3, but build a strong foundation for the program.