Boys soccer preview: Depth, experience stir Irish optimism

Catholic Central returns eight letterwinners from its 2009 squad, which lost in regional final.

Joe Halula (7) of Catholic Central and Joey Kunkel (15) of Cincinnati Summit Country Day compete for a ball during a game in Springfield on Sept. 12, 2009.

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By Michael Cooper, Staff Writer Updated 8:49 AM Wednesday, August 25, 2010

SPRINGFIELD — The Catholic Central High School boys soccer team has won two state titles this decade, their last coming in 2007.

Four players remain from that squad — seniors Joe Halula, Danny LeMelle, Alex Chase and Casey Dillman. They remember the feeling of hoisting the state title trophy and want nothing more than to do it again as seniors.

“They’re aware of the tradition and they’d like to emulate what they did as freshmen,” said Catholic Central head coach Shane Latham. “They’re working hard towards their goals. I’ve cautioned them to how hard it is (to win a state title).”

After a stellar 2009 campaign when the Irish finished the regular season unbeaten and won a Division III state poll title before eventually falling in a D-III regional final, the expectations are high at Central once again.

“The team maximized its potential,” Shane Latham said. “Getting to the regional final was a great run.”

The Irish return eight letterwinners, including two of the top players in the area in Halula and junior Calum Latham, both D-III All-Ohio selections a year ago.

Halula shared the News-Sun All-Area Boys Soccer Player of the Year award with Kenton Ridge senior Mohammad Salhieh last season after tallying a state-best 34 assists.

Latham led the state with 52 goals last season.

“They’ll be marked heavily,” said Shane Latham. “They won’t be able to surprise anybody, but they’ll have to work that much harder.

“If they concentrate too much on those two, then the other players will take their opportunities to provide the firepower.”

The Irish graduated goalkeeper J.P. Derr, and will have four players vying to play in net — Chip Samuelson, Ali Davis, Danny DeOto and Ross Vaske.

The Irish have lots of depth with nine players who can play all over the pitch.

“They’re interchangeable position-wise,” Shane Latham said. “It’s a good position to be in.”

The Irish know getting back to Columbus will be a tough task. There are several very strong sides in both the Dayton and Cincinnati areas, including Dayton Christian, Bethel, Miami Valley, Cincinnati Hills Christian Academy and Reading, among others.

“It’s going to be very difficult to get out of the Southwest region,” Shane Latham said.

The Irish will face a stiff test this week at the Private School Tournament. They’ll play Cincinnati Country Day today, Aug. 24, then face a possible matchup with Miami Valley or the host school, Cincinnati Seven Hills, on Thursday.

“We’ll find out (this week),” Shane Latham said. “It’ll be a good test. We’ll know where we stand.”

Ones to watch

Individuals

Joe Halula and Calum Latham, Catholic Central — Duo combined for 59 goals and 51 assists last season.

Jerron Bennington, Greenon — Junior scored 17 goals for Knights last year.

Rylee Woods, Greeneview — Sophomore tallied 17 goals and 13 assists last year for the Rams.

Teams

Catholic Central — D-III state poll champs will be loaded once again.

Greenon — Knights have won back-to-back CBC Mad River Division titles.

Tecumseh — Arrows will look to compete with Tippecanoe and Bellefontaine in CBC Kenton Trail Division.

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