Boys soccer programs looking for turnaround seasons in 2023
A couple of Lenawee County teams are looking for a big rebound this season while Clinton hopes to defend its league title.
Here’s a look at the county soccer season:
BACK-TO-BACK: Tshirhart repeats as Lenawee County Boys Soccer Player of the Year
CLINTON SWEEP: Erickson claims Lenawee County Boys Soccer Coach of the Year
Coach: Ten Hanosh, 33rd season
2022: 6-10-3
Returning players: Seniors Joey Spagnoli, Brady Hanosh, Nico Gonzalez, and Nick Flores; Juniors Gary Kemerer and Gavin Taylor; Sophomores Nathan Wojcik, Carter Allen, and Taysean Thomas.
New: Seniors Sawyer Cranmore, Ryan Riddick and Khristyan Young; juniors Mohamed Quali, Riley Smith, Anthony Hernandez, and Ethan Guzman.
Outlook: Spagnoli was one of Adrian’s leading goal scorers last year and should do well at finding the net this year. “He is a competitive player who is able to take control of the game with his foot skills,” Hanosh said. Kemerer is in his third season in goal for Adrian.
Conference: SEC-White. “We have been in the mix of our league title race the last few years and have been a couple games away,” Hanosh said. “We look to make this a season where get the key wins needed to be at the top.”
Coach says: “I am excited to get this group of guys going, we have a big core of returning starters and a great mix of new players who have put in work in the off season and with our summer strength and conditioning program. We are looking to compete for the league title and make a solid run in our state tournament.”
BLISSFIELD
Coach: Jacob Birkenkamp, 6th season
2022: 1-18
Returning Players: Senior Willie Marks; Juniors Matthew Wolfe, Ethan Johnson, Ian Waddell, Sean Samuels, and Jacob Bauman; Sophomores Nathan Cole, Cody Staelgrave, Eli Rupp, Gaige Cole, and Seth Schwartz.
New: Juniors Blake Wood, Evan Vore and Anthony Mingiony; Freshmen Brayden Cunningham, Caleb Vore, Matthew Seiser, Miles Seiser, Asher Waddell, and Mike Lehsten.
Outlook: After going 1-18, the returning Royals recruited some new players to help turnaround their fortunes.
League: LCAA
Coach says: “(The new players) adds a new energy and morale into the team that we are looking to turn into close competitions this year.”
CLINTON
2022: 12-3-1
Coach: Marla Erickson, 10th season at Clinton
Returning players: Seniors Sam Erickson, Max Hampel, Bryce Wyman, and Parker Baughey; Juniors Mattis Riddle, Brodie Stipe, Jalen Stelzer, and Samson Schaffner; Sophomores Ian Bach, Eli Turner, Robert McDonald, and Angel Rubio.
New: Senior Jacob Rothman; freshmen Broden Manchester, Cole Hillegonds, Sam Quintana, Jimmy Schaffner, Aiden Blom, and Owen Buckmaster.
Outlook: Erickson and Stelzer lead the defense. Hampel, Schaffner and Riddle are the center-midfield leaders and Rubio is the attacker.
League: LCAA. Clinton and Ida shared the league championship last season.
Coach says: “I’m excited to see how this team does this year. There is a lot of talent on the team, and it will be awesome to see what they can accomplish.”
LENAWEE CHRISTIAN
2022: 10-6-1
Coach: Nathan Sharpe, nine years
Returning players: Seniors Jack Stamats and Nate Jeffords; Juniors Eli Brainard and Gabe Miller and sophomore Max Stamats.
League: Independent Soccer League. Hillsdale Academy is the defending champion and looks strong again.
Outlook: Jack Stamats is a great leader with a high soccer IQ. Brainard is a speedster and Max Stamata does a good job on the ball. Those three lead a young team with a smaller roster than normal for LCS.
Coach says: “The work ethic and desire from our core group of guys has been great and we need that desire and commitment to grow with the other guys. Growth in technical and tactical areas of the game will be huge but not bigger than belief and chemistry.”
ONSTED
Coach: Matthew Zellen, fourth season
2022: 12-11
Returning Players: Seniors Hart Sexton and Mason Rockwell; Juniors Carsen Wonders, Kaiden Van Heusen, Maddox Hancock, Elijah Clarke, Cole Gilbert, Iziah Boss, and Jace Ellison; Sophomores Jonah McKelvey, Dawson Miller, and Logan Cullen
New: Onsted will add five freshman and three sophomores to the team.
Outlook: Onsted lost 13 seniors from last year’s 12-win team. Sexton, Rockwell, Wonders sand Hancock are the captains.
League: LCAA
Coach says: “After graduating 13 Seniors last year, this could be a reloading or a rebuilding year.”
TECUMSEH
Coach: Jerry Nowak
2022: 6-11-1
Returning Players: Seniors Cody Wild, Erik McCarty, Ben Francis, Luke Milliken, Grant Cassie, Ethan Emerick and Braeden Haussler.
New: TBA
Outlook: Wild is the top offensive player for Tecumseh and has a good shot from either foot. Milliken will play in a couple different spots and McCarty anchors the defense. “He’s very fast and does a good job tracking back when opponents are attacking,” said. “He rarely gets beat.”
League: SEC-White.
Coach says: “I’m anticipating we will have a decent season, maybe a .500 record.”
This article originally appeared on The Daily Telegram: Lenawee County boys soccer teams looking to improve in 2023
