The 2025 CORE Butte Co-Ed Varsity Soccer season came to a close with a third-place finish in the Pioneer League, and a 6-8 overall record (4-4 in league). Though the team faced major transitions and early obstacles, they improved steadily across the year, and managed end it on a high note with a shutout win in their final match.
Head Coach Chris Spears, alongside assistant coaches Jason Jueckstock, CJ, and Johnson, reflected on the season as one of hard work and development:
“It was a positive experience for the entire team,” Spears said. “We really competed well, played well. It was a great team, and I’m excited about the seasons to come.”
Pre-Season:
The team entered the 2025 season rebuilding after losing seven seniors from the previous year, six of whom were starters. That experienced group had carried CORE Butte to a 12-6-1 record and second place in the league in 2024. This year’s roster was much younger, featuring a mix of freshmen and returning upperclassmen. Spears called it “a bit of an anomaly” because of this and a few other factors that will become apparent.
Adding to the challenge, CORE’s new home field was not ready at the start of the season. The team practiced wherever they could find space, usually on East 20th Street, and played their early matches entirely on the road. Spears reflected this in his words:
“We had to have our first games away, and it was tough. But once the field opened up, it was fantastic. We finally had a place to call home.”
Timeline:
The team played a total of 14 games this season:
- August 15 – Portola (away):
CORE Butte started strong and defeated Portola 5-1 in their season opener. The offense looked sharp, and spirits were high heading into the next game.
- August 15 – Tulelake (away):
The excitement was short-lived, as later that day, CORE fell 8-0 to Tulelake, an early reminder of the challenges ahead. It was their fifth straight loss to Tulelake over several seasons.
- August 16 – Quincy (away):
Still on the road, the Lynx were shut out 5-0 by Quincy, falling to 1-2 overall.
Junior Sam Boian at play. Oct. 2.
- August 28 – Loyalton (away):
CORE bounced back with a 4-2 win against Loyalton. They showed improved chemistry and communication, hinting at the team’s growing resilience.
- September 2 – Trinity (away):
The team played to a 4-4 draw, it was a hard fight until CORE fell short of a penalty to Trinity.
- September 4 – Quincy (away):
A 4-0 loss to Quincy exposed some of CORE’s ongoing struggles against all-boy teams, which Spears addressed: “We struggled to score and struggled with some of the all-boy teams. But the kids didn’t give up. They wanted it more and kept pushing.”
- September 9 – Paradise Adventist Academy (away):
Another tough match followed as CORE lost 7-2.
- September 16 – Portola (home):
Finally, the Lynx returned home to their new and complete field, and what a return it was. In their first home match of the season, CORE dominated Portola 8-0. It was one of the team’s best performances of the year.
Sophomore Josh Iler at play. Sept. 30.
- September 30 – Quincy (home):
This match took place right after the official ribbon-cutting for CORE’s new sports complex. Senior Ashlynn Hayes sang the first national anthem for the field. The game began competitively, junior goalkeeper Carsten Balint made multiple saves in the first half to keep it 0-0 at halftime. But in the second half, Quincy scored five goals within the last 20 minutes, ending in a 5-0 defeat. “The score is not indicative of how the team played,” Spears said afterward. “We matched Quincy skill-wise, but they capitalized on our mistakes.”
- October 2 – Paradise Adventist Academy (home):
CORE hosted PAA in their next match but again fell 7-0.
- October 7 – Loyalton (home):
The Lynx rebounded in a strong 5-1 win at home. The defense looked organized, and the offense found rhythm again. Great timing, because the playoffs are coming next.
PLAYOFF GAMES:
- October 9 – Portola (away):
CORE followed that up with another solid 5-1 victory over Portola on the road, continuing their momentum into the playoffs.
- October 14 – Quincy (away):
A 4-0 loss to Quincy brought them back to .500 in league play and reminded the team of the gap they still needed to close against the league’s top programs.
- October 16 – Loyalton (home):
The season finisher. They shut out Loyalton 2-0 in front of a lively home crowd. Senior Adrik Dyer scored the opening goal from a penalty kick, and senior Brianna Hayes added the second on a deflection. Despite a red card for goalkeeper Carsten Balint late in the match, sophomore Josh Iler stepped up as an emergency goalkeeper and made crucial saves to keep the clean sheet. Spears called it “a positive close to the season.” The team ended third in the league, with a total of 35 goals scored and 49 allowed.
Leadership & Development:
Two players anchored the team’s leadership, senior captain Adrik Dyer and junior captain Sam Boian.
“They led by example,” Spears said. “Their leadership and chemistry helped hold the team together.”
Despite their losing record, Spears emphasized that the group did not underperform expectations.
“We reevaluated goals throughout the season based on what we saw in tryouts and practices,” he said. “We were competitive enough to win the games we were supposed to win. We didn’t lose any we should have won.”
The team’s development was also marked by the contributions of younger players. Spears highlighted freshmen Jackston Stover and Maggie Boian, saying they were leaned on heavily and will play an important role in future seasons.
Awards:
At CORE Butte’s Fall Sports Awards Night, several players were recognized for their performance and dedication:
- Most Valuable Player – Junior Carsten Balint
Despite having no goalkeeping experience prior to this season, Carsten became the team’s starting goalie and one of their most reliable players.
Coach Jason giving Brianna and Ashlynn Hayes their awards.
“At tryouts, we used an age-old coaching technique to pick our goalie: ‘eenie meenie miney mo,’” Spears joked. “But Carsten did a fantastic job. His progression from being picked at random to becoming one of our best was impressive.”
- Offensive Player of the Year – Senior Brianna Hayes
“She’s been with us four years,” said Coach Jueckstock. “She ran the midfield like a machine, scored five goals, and had two assists. She set the tone for her team.”
- Defensive Player of the Year – Senior Ashlynn Hayes
“She really stepped up as leader of our defensive line,” Jueckstock said. “We had a young defense, and she worked with them and became the backbone of that group.”
- Most Improved Player – Sophomore Benjamin Feather
The soccer team getting their awards.
After being cut the previous year, Ben returned determined to earn his place.
“He learned fast,” said Jueckstock. “Once he got the basics down, he was unstoppable.”
Previous Season:
In 2024, CORE Butte’s soccer team was among the strongest in the school’s history, finishing second in the league at 12-6-1 with seven graduating seniors. That team was described by Spears as “the most experienced team that CORE has ever had.”
The 2025 team proved just as cohesive. They played fewer matches but built a new foundation with underclassmen gaining valuable playtime and experience. Against other co-ed teams, the Lynx went 6-1-1, a statistic Spears pointed to as evidence of progress.
“This year’s team had chemistry, even if it was younger,” Spears said. “The seniors led by example, the freshmen stepped up, and that gives us something to build on.”
Looking Ahead:
As the team turns toward 2026, Coach Spears hopes to maintain momentum and improve early preparation.
“We’re hoping not to just shelve our cleats now and wait until August,” he said. “We want to start in the summer, get the players warmed up early, and hit the ground running.”
He also offered a message for both departing seniors and the next generation of players:
“We’ll miss the seniors, good players, good kids. Just the kind of players a coach would want. To the young guys: stay the course, put in the work, and next year we’ll have another successful season.”
The 2025 season was a test of endurance, patience, and teamwork. Through ups and downs, the Lynx showed what persistence can achieve, and that led them finish strong and set a promising course for the seasons to come.
