Free State player Nicholas Howard makes a move on a defender during camp on Wednesday, June 7, 2017 at the high school.

When Free State’s boys soccer players look back to last season, they believe their postseason loss to Dodge City shows all of their potential.

The Firebirds lost, 1-0, in overtime against the eventual undefeated Class 6A state champions in the regional finals.

If they can consistently play at that high level, they’ve got plenty of confidence that the upcoming season will be special.

“We’re excited for the new year,” senior Charlie Newsome said. “We have a lot of key pieces. We have at least eight or nine guys that played a key role last year coming back. We think we could have a pretty good season with them.”?

Free State head soccer coach Kelly Barah gives instructions during camp on Wednesday, June 7, 2017 at the high school.

Free State completed its weeklong team camp Friday at FSHS, which included a pair of two-hour sessions. In the morning, they focused on technical work before putting what they learned into gameplay in the afternoon.

With about 20 freshmen at the camp, it gave upperclassmen an opportunity to teach them about the expectations of the program.

“There are so many things that we really want out of our camp week,” Free State coach Kelly Barah said. “System of play and all of (those) things are cliché and everything, but I think the camaraderie and getting to know your teammates is more important.”

When the team’s returning players worked together in drills, players said their focus was shaking off rust and just playing alongside each other once again.

Plus, the newest group of seniors had an opportunity to step into leadership roles for the first time.

“You always look up to the seniors,” senior Nick Howard said. “Now you are the seniors that’s everyone is looking up to, so it’s special…. We’re even more motivated than last year just because we’re seniors. We want to go out and prove ourselves one last time.”

Free State soccer players watch from the sidelines during a camp portion on defensive positioning, Wednesday, June 7, 2017 at the high school.

Many of the Firebirds have played together since they were kids, and on the same club teams, so they were pleased with the progress of the camp.

“It’s not just bringing bodies back, it’s bringing intelligent bodies back which is what we always try to pride ourselves with,” Barah said. “We have a ton of players that are smart and read the game well, and we’re excited about that.”

After finishing last season with an 8-8-2 record, the Firebirds want to use their regional loss to Dodge City as a stepping stone when they begin play in the fall.

Free State has advanced to the regional finals in each of the last three seasons.

“I don’t think Free State soccer has ever had a problem with finding a way to motivate themselves for the next season,” Barah said. “We always have a chip on our shoulders because if you didn’t win that final game, that means you didn’t do something well the year before. That’s what we’re always wanting to do is win that final game.”

Newsome added: “We gave (Dodge City) like the toughest game they had all season. That showed us what we were capable of. Our returning players want to come out and shock some people this year.”