The sounds were almost deafening as Concord-Carlisle players stormed the turf. It was a moment of pure elation, as the Patriots celebrated after capturing the 2023 Div. 1 boys soccer crown.

Yet, it was also bittersweet for Cole Henschke as he watched his closest colleagues accomplish a dream. For most of their playing careers, he had stood alongside them. In this instance, one of the state’s top players was cheering them on as a fan.

“It was definitely tough to miss out on what would obviously (have been) such a great experience,” said Henschke. “But I was really just there to support my friends, and I’m super happy that they were happy to achieve what they did as a team.”

Now, Henschke is returning to Walden Pond, an electrifying defensive back who brings experience and an immediate infusion of talent to the place he called home at Concord-Carlisle. This coming off the heels of a one-year hiatus with MLS Next.

“I’m super excited,” Henschke said. “I had a good experience sophomore year, and it’s always great to be back, playing with my friends, which I didn’t really get the opportunity to do at club. Definitely happy to be back.”

Like many soccer athletes, Henschke decided to embark on a stint with MLS Next with a primary goal of gaining national recognition. During his would-be junior year, the defensive back participated with the New England Football Club, also known as NEFC. In short order, he began receiving calls from college coaches from all levels. Henschke ultimately decided to keep his career going, and committed to Denison University.

“I think the attraction of MLS Next for me was the guarantee of exposure,” Henschke said. “I think that had I played high school, I could have gotten a similar level of exposure, given the run they went on. But, with the showcases, how the colleges speak about going to MLS Next events, I thought that was my best chance at getting the most college exposure that I could.”

In some cases, athletes who play at a prep school have the opportunity to play club with MLS Next at the same time, provided they can make scheduling work. However, when it comes to public schools, that rule doesn’t apply. Because of the loophole, Henschke was left with a difficult choice, a fact that is certainly not lost on Concord-Carlisle coach Ray Pavlik.

“His club team, he had been with that group for five years,” Pavlik said. “They turned that team into an MLS Next team. So Cole was sort of torn between: ‘Do I find a totally new club team, and play at a different level, or do I keep up?’ I know Cole would rather have played high school, but unfortunately, with MLS Next, they’ll allow waivers if he’s at a private school, but not a public school.”

After losing so many key pieces from last year’s championship roster, Pavlik and his staff were thrilled to welcome a leader and a familiar voice back as a member of the Patriots. Concord-Carlisle has not missed a beat this campaign, off to a 3-0 start. The team has yet to allow a goal on the season.

“(Henschke) helps a lot,” Pavlik said. “He’s a versatile player who can play the midfield and the back for us, which gives us instantly a lot more depth. We had an injury at our midfield last game, Cole started the midfield, first week he started at center back. So he’s a big presence. He’s a big body, he’s a talented kid, and he’s immediately a difference-maker.”

Is it possible that we see Concord-Carlisle pull off a repeat this fall? Still a long way to go, and the Div. 1 field remains as competitive as ever. With Henschke back on the field however, the odds suddenly don’t seem quite as daunting for the Patriots.

“Primarily, for us, it’s about staying healthy,” said Henschke. “We need to improve every day, but assuming we have healthy players, we’ll definitely be a tough team to beat.”