Baldwin ? Gus Wegner led the Baldwin High boys soccer team onto the field in 2005 for the first time in the school’s history. His vision was to build a soccer program that consisted of respectful and hard-working athletes.

In just his second year, Wegner’s well-mannered but harsh-when-needed coaching mentality produced astounding results. After a 6-12 opening season, the Bulldogs finished 12-5-1 this season and reached the Class 4-3-2-1A regional championship game.

“At the end of last season, we sensed that we needed to improve in ball control and passing,” Wegner said. “From the summer camp at the end of July, we knew if we put that into practice, we’d be more successful. The result was we scored quite a few goals.”

Wegner’s establishment of soccer prowess in Baldwin earned him All-Area Boys Soccer Coach of the Year honors.

Before coming to Baldwin, Wegner coached the men’s and women’s soccer teams at Northwest Missouri State University for five years. Wegner, who has coached soccer for about 14 years now, has undoubtedly instilled a winning mentality in the Baldwin players.

The Bulldogs scored 65 goals this season, as compared to 36 by their opponents. Through the first five games of this season, Baldwin surrendered only four goals.

Those watching Wegner coach on the sidelines may take notice of his laid-back persona. Make no mistake, though: It doesn’t mean he’s coaching any less.

“During the game, I say very little,” Wegner said. “I’ve always believed too often the coach tries to control the game, when really, if you’ve done your work during the week, the kids implement it during the game. I think that’s important because if they’re listening to us as coaches all the time, they’re not listening to their teammates or sensing where they need to be – because they have to be in the game.”

Wegner said he already set the bar pretty high for next season, based on the team’s success this year. It’s evident his coaching has sunk into the minds of his players.

“He stresses hard work in practice a lot,” junior forward Dustin Schiller said. “He doesn’t want you slacking off in practice. He wants you giving 110 percent. But he also stresses to have fun in games and practices. He likes the team to have good chemistry on and off the field.”