HS boys soccer: Northern Indiana Conference trio look strong again in 2023
Marian boys soccer coach Ben Householter knows his team has the "blueprint" for what it takes to play for a state title as they did a year ago.
The veteran and savvy Knights coach also knows that last season's success is in the past.
Marian won the Northern Indiana Conference title a year ago and concluded its season with a 2-1 loss to Brebeuf in the Class 2A state title match. The Knights, who were 18-2-2 in 2022, lost a strong group of seniors. That talented unit included star Jaxson Hundt, who tallied 29 goals with 16 assists and was one of the NIC MVPs in 2022.
High school girls soccer: NIC trio look for more success this fall
Householter, who guided Marian to Class 1A state championships in 2015 and 2016, likes what he has to work with this time around.
"This year's team has 12 seniors and I believe five starters back," said Householter. "We will have a number of positions to fill due to seniors that graduated. It will be a difficult task, but I am excited for this season and the future for this team. We will need to replace at least 40 goals or so from this past year, so I feel our scoring will have to come from overall play and not necessarily one star player."
The Knights, who won the NIC East-West Division title at 4-0 in 2022, will be led by the likes of senior trio of Eli Moody, Marco Aguilar and Noah Balyeat. Aguilar will be starting for his fourth straight season, while both Moody and Balyeat are now third-year starters.
Moody had 10 goals and seven assists and Aguilar four goals and five assists as both were second-team All-NIC selections a year ago. Goalie Balyeat was a first-team All-NIC choice after posting 11 shutouts in goal with 17 goals allowed and 64 saves.
"Last year's state runner-up finish sets a blueprint for what needs to be done to get to where we want to go," remarked Householter. "The motto this year is "New Year, same destination" Even though we have the blueprint, there are many different paths for success and this team will have to use some different tools to get there. I am very happy and proud of our success last year but that is in the past. The players need to realize that, that was last year and we have a new team and new season to deal with.
"Additionally, we will have a target on our back due to the success of last season, so we will see the best from every team night in night out. There will be bumps and turns in the path, but we have the ability to be successful. Many players will have to fill some roles that were vacated and additionally it will not be easy. We have a lot of work to do to get to where we want to go."
Marian was ranked No. 3 in the Class 2A coaches preseason poll.
Penn looks strong once again
The Kingsmen look to make another deep postseason push in Class 3A this time around.
Penn concluded its 13-5-4 campaign last fall with a 3-2 loss to Noblesville in a semistate matchup.
"We have 10 returning varsity players, many of whom had substantial minutes either as starters or early substitutes," noted Penn coach Kyle Zabor. "Noe Ferreira, Chris Miller, and Andre Gomez will be returning as starters on the field. I foresee each being major contributors to our team's successes. Additionally, Rafael Ferreira will be returning as our goalkeeper after receiving 1st Team All-Region Honors. Carter Utz is returning and has earned his second tenure as a captain and third year as a starter."
Seniors Rafael Ferreira and Utz were both second-team All-NIC choices for Penn last year. The Kingsmen went 2-2 in NIC play a season ago.
"We know every year is a challenge and every school we will compete with has a desire to win" Zabor said. "We have a firm belief that we can achieve our ultimate goal of a state championship, but each day in training and each game we play we must optimize our standards and continue learning. We emphasize that a cohesive team is far more important than individual talent and without all 11 players on the field and our bench operating as a coordinated "one," we cannot optimize our talents."
Penn was ranked No. 11 in the Class 3A coaches preseason poll.
Adams expects to be a contender
Adams coach Cristian Mihut has great respect for his opponents in the NIC.
He also expects his talented side to once again be right there in the mix with the league's best this fall.
The Eagles finished 11-5-1 overall in 2022. They went 1-3 in the loaded NIC East West Division with a win over Saint Joseph (2-1) and close losses to Penn (2-1), Elkhart (2-1) and Marian (penalty kicks).
"It goes without saying that we want a better overall record and a better NIC record this season," said Mihut. "But this year our focus is to do well in all the small, mindless things that will allow us to press effectively, to possess the ball, and to control the tempo of any soccer match."
The Eagles return a strong senior trio of John Adams, Diego Blount and Brian Marin to lead the way this season. Center back Adams was first-team All-NIC and All-District a year ago. Both Blount and Marin were second-team All-NIC choices in 2022.
"Every year, I expect Adams to win the NIC," remarked Mihut. "This year is no different. When you compete year after year against powerhouses such as St Joe, Marian, Penn, and Elkhart, you become sharper, smarter and humbler. Iron sharpens iron. And I am so grateful for the way these teams have given Adams self-knowledge and resilience over the years. On any given year, any team can take the NIC. All I can promise is this. Adams will respect our fellow NIC teams through the competitiveness we bring to every contest."
Others to watch
There will be several other Tribune area teams that should be strong again this fall.
Perennial power Saint Joseph looks to bounce back after going 7-9-2 overall and 0-4 in NIC play a season ago. Coach Alberto Verteramo's squad was ranked No. 6 in the preseason Class 2A poll, but must replace top scorer Try Place (17 goals) from last year.
Both Goshen and Elkhart should make noise again in Class 3A. The RedHawks were 13-4-3 overall and won the NLC title at 6-0-1 last season. Goshen lost 5-4 to Penn in a regional semifinal match a year ago. The RedHawks did graduate amazing scorer Josh Cruz, who tallied 35 of his team's 74 goals in 2022. Goshen checked in at No. 14 in the preseason poll.
Elkhart posted a 10-4-2 mark overall in 2022 and was second in the NIC behind Marian at 3-1. The Lions, who were No. 18 in the preseason poll, will rely on the duo of Eduardo Cabrera and Gian Romero, both All-NIC choices in 2022.
Bremen was the NIC North South Division champion at 5-0 a season ago. The Lions finished 11-5-1 overall and checked in at No. 11 in the Class 2A preseason poll. Star senior Hudson Fox will lead his team after scoring 27 goals with 18 assists last year and earning NIC MVP accolades.
Both NorthWood and Bethany Christian should once again field strong sides. NorthWood went 12-6-2 last year, losing 1-0 to Marian in a regional semifinal contest. The Panthers were No. 19 in the Class 2A preseason poll,
Bethany Christian finished 11-9 overall and lost to Westview 1-0 in a Class 1A regional semifinal match in 2022. The Bruins won the Hoosier Plains Conference title at 4-0, but did graduate top scorer Jordan Ross Richer (12 goals).
This article originally appeared on South Bend Tribune: Marian, Penn and Adams should all be strong in boys soccer
