Last year: 20-1-1, D-III regional finals.
Returnees: Seniors — Joe Halula, forward/midfield; Danny LeMelle, defender/MF; Alex Chase, D; Dan Mullins, D/MF; James Smith, MF/D; Casey Dillman, MF/F. Juniors — Calum Latham, F/MF; Pat Burns, F.
Newcomers: Seniors — Matt Kurian, MF/F; Derek Robinson, D/MF. Junior — Joey DeOto, F/MF; Chip Samuelson, goalkeeper. Sophomore — Kyle Roberts, MF.
FYI: The Irish graduated five starters from last year’s team.
Coach’s comments: “We’ve definitely got a strong nucleus. We can compete with anybody.”
EMMANUEL CHRISTIAN
Coach: Jim Beair, first season.
Last year: 6-11, 0-4 Metro Buckeye.
Returnees: Seniors — Matthew Scott, MF; Sam Vanarsdall, F. Juniors — Brandon Olson, D; Evan Linn, MF; Andrea Martinson, MF; Stephen Miller, MF; Jared Klawer, GK; Jeffrey Johnson, MF/D. Sophomores — Wes Haney, MF/F.
Newcomers: Freshmen — Jake Mottorshead, MF; Alyssa Wellman, MF/D; Jacob O’Brien, MF/D.
FYI: Beair, a Southeastern grad, takes over for Jon Lawson, who replaced longtime coach Jeremy Hudson a year ago. Scott scored 42 goals a year ago.
Coach’s comments: “I just want to have 11 common individuals working towards one goal. We want to represent Emmanuel and God and be a good influence.”
GRAHAM
Coach: Derrick Walling, second season.
Last year: 4-12-1, 2-9 CBC Mad River.
Returnees: Seniors — Ryan Thompson, F; Wesley Calladine, GK/D; Shane Spence, F/MF. Juniors — Eli Beard, F; Lloyd Box, MF; F; Chris Martinez, MF/F; Cody Merica, GK. Sophomore — Austin Springer, MF/F.
FYI: The Falcons will play a 4-4-2 this season. They lost five players to graduation.
Coach’s comments: “This is going to be an interesting year for us. We lost a core group of players in our seniors last year, and they were our defense and central midfielders. I feel that our upperclassmen now have stepped up and fill their shoes pretty well. But it is always a little scary until you get that first real game under your belt. We feel we could be a contender to win the CBC Mad River Division.”
GREENEVIEW
Coach: Bob Eakins, 12th season.
Last year: 8-10, 5-3 OHC.
Returnees: Juniors — Jacob Wright, MF; Craig Perry, GK. Sophomores — Rylee Woods, MF; Troy Seabold, MF; Wyatt Erwin, D; Brandon Link, D; Mark Canty, F; Brad Huffman, F.
Newcomers: Sophomore — Nate Beverly, D. Freshmen — Blaze Haines, D; Hudson Mahle, D; Gage Harner; Dakotah Fogle, F; Jordan Lilley, MF; Ricky Mickle, D; Brian McGee, F; Jordan Wintringham, D.
FYI: Woods was a News-Sun All-Area second-team selection as a freshman last season. The Rams are in their 31st season of boys soccer.
Coach’s comments: “We are very, very young this year.”
GREENON
Coach: Jeff Nickles, sixth season.
Last year: 11-5-1, 9-1-1, CBC Mad River champs.
Returnees: Seniors — Josh Matthews, GK; Ryan Little, MF; Kyle Lloyd, D; Kody Phelps, D. Juniors — Jerron Bennington, F; Brandon McNeil, D; Kegan Buchhop, MF; Collin Millar, MF; Tyler Maas, D. Sophomores — Cody Carpenter, F; Sam Culp, D; Dan Pensworth, MF.
Newcomers: Senior — Ethan Grant, D. Junior — Tristen Ruef, D. Freshman — Caleb Wilson, GK.
FYI: Matthews is returning from offseason ACL surgery. The Knights are the two-time defending CBC Mad River Division champs. Bennington scored 19 goals a year ago.
Coach’s comments: “It’ll depend on the defense. We’ve got our offense back, and a lot of our midfielders saw lots of playing time last year. We’ll have two new marking backs and that will be an adjustment for them.”
KENTON RIDGE
Coach: Chris Slagle, 16th season.
Last year: 8-8-1, 6-5 CBC Kenton Trail.
Returnees: Seniors — John McKinney, GK; Ben Bowman, MF; Zak DiMichele, D/F; Correy Conrad, D/MF; Brady Brennan, MF/F. Juniors — Collin Hawke, MF; Adam Roberson, D. Sophomores — Jordan Goodfellow, MF; Nick Lacey, D.
Newcomers: Senior — Ross Smith, MF/F. Junior —Cody Jackson, MF/F. Sophomores — Andy Lawson, F/D; Graham Roan, MF; Tom Fiegl, MF; Matt Sherrock, MF; Zach Sterzenbach, MF/F.
FYI: The Cougars’ lost all-time leading scorer Mohammad Salhieh, who finished with 79 goals and 29 assists, to graduation. McKinney is also a member of the Cougars’ football team.
Coach’s comments: “We’ve got some good talent and 30 kids, which is a good number — more than we’ve had the last few years. We’ve got some good players returning with a year experience. The kids will be pushing and competing with each other. It’s only going to help the team. We just have to find where everybody is going to fit in. It’s going to be a team effort.”
NORTHEASTERN
Coach: Jon Schmid, fourth season.
Last year: 6-11, 2-6 OHC.
Returnees: Seniors — Darian Rossitto, F; Caleb Burns, F; Marcus Reeder, D. Juniors — Caleb Wiseman, MF; Alex Levan, MF. Sophomores — Scott Casto, D; Michael Schmid, GK; Dakota Smith, F.
Newcomers: Seniors — Jordan Hill, F; Bryan Rushford, D/MF; Alex Johnson, F. Juniors — Bryce Haythe, D; Cody Wilfong, D; Braden Stookey, D; Justin Scott, D. Sophomore — Paul Bowen, D. Freshmen — Derek Akers, MF; Nathan Simpson, MF; Will Foreman, D/GK.
FYI: The Jets have increased their win total each of the last four seasons. They’ve also won tournament games each of the last two seasons.
Coach’s comments: “We lost a large group of seniors, so we’ll be asking kids to step up and lead. I’m excited to get the season started. The guys have worked hard this summer to get ready for this season. We have new kids at every level, so how they perform will tell how our season will finish. We should be exciting to watch.”
NORTHWESTERN
Coach: Bob Caldwell, third season.
Last year: 10-7-1, 7-4 CBC Mad River.
Returnees: Seniors — Mike Goheen, F; Brandon West, D; Brian Looney, F; Jeff Kniceley, D. Juniors — Jeremy Sigler, MF; Josh McFarland, D; Logan Miller, MF; Nick Sullivan, GK; Zack Wildofsky, MF. Sophomore — Cody Circle, MF.
Newcomers: Junior — Dakota Hitt, D. Sophomores — Tyler Schafer, D; Nathan Griest, D; Luke Burns, D.
FYI: The Warriors graduated five seniors from last year’s squad, including leading scorers Caleb Fulton and Jadon Jenkins. Goheen had nine goals and seven assists last year.
Coach’s comments: “We’ve got a solid core group returning of six, seven starters. We’ve got new guys who are stepping up and will fill in several spots. We’ve been doing a lot of conditioning. We’re going to be in good shape, so that won’t be an excuse for us. We should be competitive and give ourselves a chance to win in the league.”
SOUTHEASTERN
Coach: Gene Karn, second season.
Last year: 0-16, 0-8 OHC.
Returnees: Seniors — Lukas Cason, MF; Brian Cultice, D; Taylor Evans, MF; Aaron Frederick, F; Jesse Peck, D; Tyler Schrader, F/MF. Juniors — Sam Blevins, D; Travis McClure, D; Josh Rotroff, GK. Sophomores — Landon Cason, MF/F; Mitchell DeVore, F.
Newcomers: Sophomores — Kyle Schrader, F/MF; Burke Stuckey, GK. Freshmen — Brody Baise, F; Lucas Toops, MF/F.
FYI: The Trojans have 10 returning starters from last year’s team.
Coach’s comments: “A lot of the players, especially the seniors, have put a good bit of time in on the field during the summer and that’s evident by their skills. That’s really encouraging.”
SHAWNEE
Coach: Aaron Fourman, first season.
Last year: 8-10, 3-8 CBC Kenton Trail.
Returnees: Seniors — Ben Noll, D; Stephen Barnett, D; Zach Johnson, MF; Justin Sullivan, GK. Juniors — Danny Valley, MF; Avery Cross, F; Reed Cooper, MF; Zach Massie, MF.
Newcomers: Senior — Jaylen Price, MF. Juniors — Adonis Gordon, F; Mike Ellinger, D; Jordan Remmetter, D; Adam Mourry, MF; Devon Laughlin, MF/GK; Dom Stewart, MF. Sophomores — Evan Pitstick, MF; Josh Caudill, MF; Tevin Hinkle, D; Austin Wilson, MF; Daniel Wiseman, MF; Derek Zinkhon, D. Freshmen — Michael Hutchings, MF; Evan Dillahunt, MF; Ryan Coffman, D; Kyle Gresse, D; Zach Lambert, MF; Brett Siemon, MF; Cade Craig, MF; C.J. Andorfur, GK.
FYI: Fourman takes over for coach Brian Solomon, who spent one season with the Braves.
Coach’s comments: “We plan to continue building on last year’s end of season success. With the loss of a large group of seniors, there is a wonderful opportunity for the new guys to step up and contribute this season.”
SPRINGFIELD
Coach: Ray Davis, third season, fifth overall.
Last year: 0-17, 0-5 GWOC Central.
Returnees: Seniors — Munther Hamayel, F; Cody Timms, D. Juniors — Nauman Rauf, MF; Trevor Fisher, D; Tre McIntosh, F; Peter Hurst, D.
Newcomers: Seniors — Tyren Thompson, GK; Richard Hill, D; Vijay Higgins, MF. Juniors — Danny Evans, MF; Abe Gaskins, D. Freshmen — Hirsh Chitkara, F; Sam Brougher, MF.
FYI: The Wildcats are still looking for their first win in program history.
Coach’s comments: “This is the hardest working group of young men I have had in five years. Hopefully, that pays off for us.”
TECUMSEH
Coach: Jason Runner, seventh season, 12th overall.
Last year: 11-5, 8-3 CBC Kenton Trail.
Returnees: Seniors — Travis Jones, D; Neil Lindsey, MF; Kyle Keaton, MF; Justin Helt, MF; Jimmy Fraley, MF. Juniors — Jordan Gozelski, MF; Joel Summerfield, F; Chase Culbertson, D.
Newcomers: Senior — Taylor Gill, F. Juniors — Matt Lemming, F; Guillermo Ruiz, MF; Doug Sortman, GK; Christopher Schultz, D. Sophomores — Rafael Zaragoza, MF; Jonathan Catedral, D. Freshman — Alberto Gonzalez, F.
FYI: Jones was a first-team All-Area selection last year. ... Schultz is a foreign exchange student from Germany.
Coach’s comments: “We’ll be solid. We’ve been knocking it around pretty good. I want to see who’s going to step up and score. We lost a lot of firepower. I think we should be solid. We’re big and fast around the outside.”
TRIAD
Coach: Josh Core, first season.
Newcomers: Seniors — Caleb Orecchio, GK; Caleb Perry, D. Juniors — Drew Butz, D; Dylan Atherton, F. Sophomores — Cooper Benevides, D/GK; Matt King, F; Mason Ryan, MF; Tanner Stengel, MF; Josh Watson, MF; Chris Miller, D; Devin Byrd, F; Jake Drake, MF. Freshmen — Ainsley Ford, MF; Colin Watson, F/MF.
FYI: The Cardinals have a varsity soccer team for the first time, and will compete in the OHC next season. They’ve had a club team since 2004.
Coach’s comments: “You can tell the boys have an extreme eagerness to win with them being a club sport for so long. They’re ready to prove that they belong.”
URBANA
Coach: Chad Wells, second season.
Last year: 6-11, 4-7 CBC Mad River.
Returnees: Seniors — Kyle Upchurch, D; Ben Tracy, MF. Juniors — Doug Burkett, D; Kwentin Young, MF; Josh Emery, MF; J.D. Lee, F; Aaron Bowshier, MF. Sophomore — Matt Pratt, D.
Newcomers: Junior — Brandon Dunham, F. Sophomores — Deryk Fain, MF; Brian Walker, D. Freshman — Tyler Upchurch, MF.
FYI: The Hillclimbers graduated eight seniors from last year’s team. Lee is the team’s returning leading scorer with three goals.
Coach’s comments: “We kept the core of our team intact from last year. We’ve got a lot of experience coming back from last year. I think we’ll really surprise some teams. The kids have been working really hard in the preseason.”
WEST LIBERTY-SALEM
Coach: Tim Wolfe, 14th season.
Last year: 12-6-1, 5-3 OHC.
Returnees: Seniors — Ross Lowry, F; Jacob Shank, MF; Nathan Marceau, F/MF; Noah Lawson, MF/F; Brian Cook, MF; Oscar Gresh, D; Michael Lowe, MF. Juniors — Brad Stengel, MF. Sophomores — Grant Burden, D.
Newcomers: Juniors — Jordan Wright, GK; Michael Yoder, D; Jon Kuntz, D/MF; Josh Nelson, MF; Josh Conklin, F. Sophomores — Corey Lianez, D; Aaron Scott, MF.
FYI: The team attended a camp at Bethany College in West Virginia this summer.
Coach’s comments: “I am very encouraged about the team for the upcoming season. There are several players with significant varsity experience who are very dedicated to the program, led by a talented senior class. The team is optimistic about the season.”
YELLOW SPRINGS
Coach: Jim Hardman, 11th season.
Last year: 11-6-3, 2-2-1 Metro Buckeye Conference, D-III district runner-up.
Returnees: Seniors — Nicky Sontag, D/F; Mario Cosey, F; Will Turner, D/MF; Isaac Haller, MF/F; Elliot Cromer, D/MF. Juniors — Wade Huston, MF; Jake Trumbull, F; Cole Edwards, D. Sophomores — Gabe Rehm, MF; Jamie Scott, F; Eli Biggs, F/MF.
Newcomers: Junior — Jake Fugate, D. Freshmen — Eric Lawhorn, GK; Grant Reigelsperger, MF/F.
FYI: The Bulldogs have advanced to the D-III district the last three seasons.
Coach’s comments: “The last three seasons we’ve graduated so much talent. We’re seeing this as a rebuilding year, but I’ve been pleasantly surprised the last two weeks with practice. We have several kids playing club ball who’ve improved quite a bit. I’m really looking forward to the season. I think we’ll surprise a lot of people.”
— Compiled by Michael Cooper