MNR – Preview – Boys soccer
AIRPORT
Coach: Goran Cepo, second year.
2022 record: 7-11-2
Returning starters: Seniors Eli Marut, Tayton Ruhlig; junior Josh Hanning; sophomores Jordyn Nason, Nolan Sanders, Nolan Ortega, Hudson Moore, Corbin Derry, Skyyler Gonzalez, Isaiah Chapdelaine.
Other players: Seniors Carson Gregg, Aidan Gerlica. Juniors Blake Yoas, Carter Winnie; sophomores Joseph Sinclair, Zachary Vroman, Jackson Riggs, Paul Sypniervski, Ethan Ripple, Austin Schaffner; freshman Dylan Aikey.
Season outlook: The Jets return 10 starters from last season and will be led by a strong sophomore class.
Coach's comments: " This group has improved tremendously since last season. Their off-season commitment to getting better is very obvious. We lost a handful of games last season because of inexperience, age and size. The boys have bought into what we have been teaching them since last July."
BEDFORD
Coach: Dave Kidd, first year.
2022 record: 2-12-3
Returning starters: Senior Lucas Tominello; juniors Ian Hopkins, Caleb Parsons; sophomore Carter Allison.
Other players: Juniors Koen Bishop, Owen Freker, Gavin Garcia, Derek Lestage, Isaiah Wingate; sophomores Brandon McCloud, Bryce McCloud, Nathan Miqua, Gus Nicholas, Ibrahim Saleh, Matt Zahniser.
Season outlook:New coach Dave Kidd will build around a solid senior class along with a talented group of sophomores and juniors.
Coach’s comments: “We are going to be a possession-based team that plays their positions well, applying pressure to our opponents, while creating scoring opportunities as a result of the buildup of our play. We have a commitment to our players to improve our technical skills and tactical understanding of the game."
FLAT ROCK
Coach: Sean Sturgeon, fifth year.
2022 record: 3-16-3.
Returning starters: Seniors Reagan Engelbert, Noah McKinnon; juniors Mitchell Smith, Wyatt Mack, Caleb Rollins, Mitchell Hoagland, Nick Sikorski; sophomores Brady McBride, David Knezovich, Alex Dropiewski.
Other players: Senior Nick Dropiewski; sophomore Lincoln Sucharski.
Season Outlook: The Rams are poised to make a big step forward with 10 starters back from last season. They will be playing on the school's new artificial turf field.
Coach's comments: "Returning most of the team we look forward to a great year on the new turf field. We have been working hard and return all of our scoring from last year. Only losing our center back from last year puts us in a good position moving forward."
IDA
Coach: Tim Allen, seventh year.
2022 record: 16-3.
Returning starters: Seniors Titus Benson, Zach Hemry, Wade Johnston, Grantham Nelson; juniors Davin Slater, Cole Angerer; sophomore Jaxon Bolster.
Other players: Seniors Donovan Lutz, Alex Ortiz, Ryan Horn; juniors Cole Blackman, Asher Hamm, Caleb Mannor, Cameron Tross; sophomores Leo Godfrey, Brenner Nelson, Mason Reynolds, Evan Tengler; freshmen Weston Allen, Brandon Commet, Dane Holycross.
Season outlook: The Blue Streaks should contend for the Lenawee County Athletic Association title with seven returning starters.
Coach’s comments: "We may have trouble scoring at times. We will need some players to step up in a big way to replace the guys we lost from last year."
JEFFERSON
Coach: Rob Kull, third year.
2022 record: 5-15-1.
Returning starters: Seniors Gio Beadurie, Gabe Gelso, Mike Armetta, Carter Simota, Vlad Uhlik, Gavin Uhlik.
Other players: Copper Holmes, Joey Peer, and Tyler Swan.
Season outlook: The Bears return many of their top players from last season and boast a lot of experience in the midfield.
Coach’s comments: “This year should be a good year for Jefferson soccer. We hope to improve on our league finish from last season. This is an experienced team with a lot of seniors. While we might not have the roster depth, we do have the heart and grit to be very competitive this season."
GIBRALTAR CARLSON
Coach: Justin Hunter, first season.
2022 record: 14-7-1.
Returning players: Seniors Brady Jaskula, Kyler Ostrowski, Harry Elmazaj, Luis Jasso, Carter Sgro, Jack Watkins, Dominic Fioritto; juniors juniors Matt Phillips, Max Smith; sophomores Dominic Bongiorno, Caiden Fenech.
Newcompers: Junior Damarion Copeland; freshmen Noah Jasso, Caleb Medalla, Collin Jaskula.
Season outlook: Hunter, a 2011 Carlson grad kicked in college for the Albion football team, is the former head coach for the boys and gilrs teams at Allen Park. He is excited about the soccer experience of his Carlson players. "Just about every player has a club soccer background," he said.
Coach's comment: "We’ve been in the weight room and on the track since the start of July; fitness levels and expectations are extremely high and rightfully so. "
MILAN
Coach: Philip Hayes, first year.
2022 record: 11-4-4.
Returning starters: Seniors Parker Beard, Carter Higgins, Gavin Tomecek, Beau LeBlanc, Zander Parris; juniors: Adam Johnson, Nolan Matley.
Other players: Noah Bussell, Richard Burd, Sean Cook, Caleb Klein, Caiden Lambers, Wesley, Murphy, Christian Dionne, Declan Hicks, Keegan Bates, Ryland Leroy Alex LaPlant Charlie Brown, Fred Brown, Braeden Lerette.
Season outlook: Phillip Hayes takes over from highly successful coach Victor Plasse. He has a solid group of seven returning starters to build around.
Coaches comments: "Being new to the boys program, the transition has been extremely smooth with these young gentlemen. They have grasped my standards and core values and have adjusted extremely well to my coaching style."
MONROE
Coach Ian Cooke, fifth year.
2022 record 7-12-3.
Returning starters: Seniors Austin Dunn, Mathieu Grenn, Trevor Mann, Ethan Merkle, Talen Swinkey, Lucis Rzepa,, Yuma Watanabe; juniors Jovanny Gallegos, Bryson Lane, Brian Palmer.
Other players: Juniors Vishwas Joshi, Eric Sanchez; sophomores Tobin Becker, Logan Brockway, Cooper Robinson; freshman Evan Ortiz.
Season outlook: The Trojans have four fewer Southeastern Conference games this season, giving them room to schedule more Monroe County Region and Downriver games.
Coach’s comments: "Brain Palmer and Talen Swinkey won State championships with their club teams in the spring so hopefully some of their success will carry over into the High school games. We have had a productive and hardworking preseason so it will be exciting to watch the season unfold and see what the lads can achieve this season."
NEW BOSTON HURON
Coach Matt Lividini, eighth year.
2022 record: 6-4-6
Returning starters: Seniors Andy Traster, Luke Hamilton, Jack Maxwell, Toni Trupiano, Ayden Shannon; juniors Noah Manthei, And Aidan Dolencic.
Other players: Seniors Carson Downey, Sebastian Horvath, Asa Varner, juniors Roman Prit, Landon Julio, Jayden Choryan, Yusuf Alziadi; sophomores Ian Petrick, Mason Jasinski, Johann Vasquez, Mason Thomas, Jordan Stasak.
Season outlook: Lividini is convinced his team can contend for Huron League and District titles if they turn som of last year's six ties into victories.
Coach’s comment:” This is a great mix of younger and older players that have limitless potential. Our skill level is really high. I used to get one or two kids juggling the ball 100 times, now 80 percent of the team does that. We have the potential to have multiple players scoring over 40 points this season. It should be exciting"
SMCC
Coach: Nathan Olson, third year.
2022 record: 10-8-2
Returning starters: Seniors Isak DeSloover, Chaz Harrington, Carter Hoffman, Holden Kennedy, Trent Zachel.; juniors Kien Clawson, Will Shafer.
Other players: Senior Alex Popadich; juniors Jacob Beddoes, John Netter, Caleb Hendrick, Tyler Rutkowski; sophomores Cameron Cole, Jackson Heinzerling, Joseph Laginess, Jacob St.Pierre; freshmen Tristan Denno, A.J. Duran, Aaron Fowkes, Thomas Snow.
Season outlook: Zachel is starting his fourth season as the starting goalkeeper for the Falcons. He leads a strong group of five returning senior starters.
Coach’s comments: "This is a strong group of eniosrs and juniors this year. We have great leadership and are looking to make a strong run into Districts. The boys have been working hard during the off season. We have really come together as a unit over the last three weeks and are ready for the season to get started."
STATE LINE CHRISTIAN
Coach: Andy Yglesias, seventh year.
2022 record: 14-8.
Returning starters: Seniors Derek Braithwaite, Andrew Knapp, Dawson Heaton; juniors Ethan Rains, Cooper Worley.
Other players: Seniors Ian Currie, Jason Singer; junior Peter Cheedie; sophomore Ian Hendrix, freshman Jackson Baumker; eighth graders JR Hobbins, Austin Nowak, Brit Yglesias.
Season outlook: Returning starters Aidan Boora and Brandt Dyer will miss the entire season after suffering knee injuries over the summer. That will create a lot of opportunities for younger players.
Coach's comments: "Young guys will have the opportunity to step up. Our success will be dependent upon players taking on leadership roles on the team. I love the fact that I don't have a guaranteed starting 11. Guys are working hard in practice to get into the starting lineup.”
This article originally appeared on The Monroe News: MNR – Preview – Boys soccer
