Camren Haase

BISMARCK —  For Camren Haase, soccer was never just an activity to pass the time—it was practically a birthright.
Growing up in a household where the game took center stage, Haase found his way to the pitch almost as soon as he could run.
“I started as soon as I could, probably around five years old,” the Bismarck High standout said. “My dad and my brother played soccer growing up, so it just ran in the family. I’ve played for Magic Soccer Club my whole life. Soccer has been a part of my whole life, and I wouldn't have picked anything else.”
Watching his older brother navigate the sport provided an early blueprint.
By the time Haase arrived in the Demons program, he wasn't merely hoping to earn a roster spot—he stepped right into the fire, earning a starting role from day one.
“I’ve played for BHS ever since my freshman year,” he said. “I have been a varsity starter every year.”
Stepping onto a varsity pitch as a ninth-grader comes with obvious hurdles, particularly when competing against physically mature upperclassmen. 
Over the past four seasons, Haase transformed his frame, his conditioning, and his approach to meet the demands of high-level competition.
“My biggest improvement is my physicality,” Haase noted. “When I started playing, I was by far the smallest kid out there. Confidence is the hardest thing to gain as a player, but the most important. It is key, and you need it to succeed.”
That evolution hasn't gone unnoticed on the Demons' sideline. BHS head coach Michael Cruz has watched Haase transition from an eager underclassman into a complete, game-changing talent.
“What stands out is Camren's ability to control, dictate, and decide games,” Cruz said. “He leads and plays with confidence, and he has really developed his acceleration and stamina.”
While opposing defenses often bring extra physicality to match him, Cruz emphasizes that sheer size has never defined Haase’s impact between the lines.
“In soccer, size is not the deciding factor,” Cruz said. “It is his mentality, game IQ, and his emotional intelligence. He’s very composed throughout the whole match.”

That composure fuels his playmaking. While scouting reports identify Haase as a steady scoring threat, his vision and distribution remain the engine of the Demons' attack.
“My passing is my best attribute in my opinion, although there are a lot of things to choose from,” Haase said. “I know where my teammates are at all times, and that enables me to make perfect decisions and passes.”
According to Cruz, that passing precision comes from an elite tactical awareness that sets Haase apart from the average player.
“His game understanding makes him predict the different possibilities of outcome—he anticipates it and takes it,” Cruz said. “In a simple way, the game slows down for him as he can read the game at a very high level of understanding.”
With that reputation comes added defensive attention. Opponents regularly try to crowd the all-stater, limit his touches, and shrink the field. Yet Haase embraces the challenge with a composed mindset: dictate the terms rather than react.
“Yes, that happens some games,” Haase said, of tighter marking. “It is difficult to play against, but I have to create my own space then. I still have to play my style of game and not worry about the opponents.”
Part of that poise stems from his success on the links. An accomplished golfer, Haase credits the solitary, unforgiving nature of golf with sharpening his competitive mindset for soccer.
“I think golf is by far the most challenging sport mentally, and it’s so tough,” says Haase, who has been a multiple state qualifier. “It helps me because you can’t focus on the past. You can’t be affected by your mistakes and keep moving forward.”
Now a senior, that maturity has naturally translated into a central leadership role for a squad aiming high as tournament time approaches.
“As a leader, he leads by example in every aspect,” Cruz said. “Players respect him and admire him.”
He’s been a leading point producer for the program over the past three seasons. For Haase, the personal accolades take a back seat to the team's ultimate objective. While championship expectations are always part of the Demons' standard, he stresses the importance of taking care of business one step at a time.
“The first goal is always to win state, but that’s not possible if you don’t even make it,” Haase said. “We have had a decent start and are trying to keep our momentum going forward.”
As his final prep campaign unfolds, Haase is also weighing what comes next. While his high school chapter will soon close, his competitive days are far from finished.
“I am pretty sure I’m going to play soccer in college,” Haase said. “I toured schools and I haven’t made a decision yet, but I want to go somewhere to play soccer—and potentially golf, if possible.”

Photo: Loralyn Joyce, WDA event photographer