PREVIEW: New faces on pitch, sideline for many talented Ohio boys soccer teams

There will be new faces on the pitch, but also new faces on the sideline for several of the area’s top high school boys soccer teams this season.

New head coaches take over at Mason, the Division I preseason No. 1 team; Anderson, the D-I No. 4 team; and Indian Hill, the Division II No. 2 team.

Summit Country Day won the Division III state championship, but returns just four starters while moving up to Division II. Moeller finished last season as the top-ranked team in Division I, then graduated eight seniors.

Anderson advanced to the Division I regional final, but coach Adam Jones left to take over the men’s team at Thomas More College. The Redskins brought in alum Sam Miller to keep the momentum going, and return key players Brodie Sallows, Sam Kunkemoeller, and Brevin Andreadis.

“Any time a new coach comes in, the players adjust to new ideas, systems, and terminology. We've tried to push the players to practice their craft more by carving out training time so that they can work on their technique and ideas,” Miller said. “The players and coaches are learning how to get the best out of each other every day. Once players are confident in their roles, the more cohesive the team becomes. We as a program are striving to get to that level of fluidity.”

Bryan Daniel takes over at Indian Hill, replacing long-time head coach Bill Mees. The Indians advanced to the district final last year. Mees is still around, assisting Daniel on a volunteer basis, sharing wisdom learned over 29 years and 327 victories at Indian Hill.

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“The biggest challenge at a place like Indian Hill is being true to the tradition and history of the program, while still finding ways to move the program forward. Coach Mees did a phenomenal job for the last 29 seasons, so it is not a situation where I’m looking to blow things up and rebuild or rejuvenate a struggling program,” said Daniel. “Things are in a good place in our program. I am honored to have the opportunity to maintain our high standards.”

Mason will be under new leadership with Mike Combs, the former head coach at Cincinnati State. The Comets enter the new era with high expectations and will be led by midfielder Nick Krueger. The senior tied a single-season program record with 13 assists last season.

A few of the top teams who maintained coaching consistency must reload their rosters. Summit Country Day graduated a quartet of four-year starters, but return leading goal scorer Doug Simpson. Eli Rawlings returns after scoring the game-winning goal in the 2017 state championship game. Junior Davis Whiting will anchor the defense for the defending champs.

“Our guys are used to high expectations, but they are also aware that nothing comes easy and it is going to take a lot of cooperation, leadership, and work ethic to achieve what we have set out to do,” Silver Knights head coach Scott Sievering said. “We have to figure out who we are and how we are going to play.”

The Silver Knights will be aiming for their sixth state championship in the past seven years.

Moeller will attempt to reload, led by 10 juniors, two sophomores, and four freshmen. The Crusaders will battle Mason in the first game of the season. The two top-ranked teams in the preseason Division I coaches poll will meet at the University of Cincinnati on August 23. Senior forward Ben Hegge, a Bearcats commit, will lead the Crusaders through what is almost certainly the toughest schedule in the state.

“We reload with our youth. We feel we have developed a system of play that can be repeatable year after year by plugging in players with high soccer IQs, a love for the game, and a willingness to work hard,” head coach Mike Welker said. “Our three seniors that start will be great leaders as our youth continues to grow into leadership roles.”

But the cupboard is not anywhere near bare across the city.

St. Xavier finished last season on a roll. The Bombers started the season 2-3-4, then reeled off nine wins in their next 10 matches before being ousted by Anderson in the regional semifinal. St. X returns 10 seniors, led by all-state forward Gino Geiser. The Bombers will also feature four seniors in the midfield, with Luke Rockwood, Craig Wellens, Matthew Sutton, and Michael Wampler.

“Last year’s team had a good run at the end of the season and the tournament, but one of the great things about high school sports is that every year is new and unique,” head coach Brian Schaeper said. “When you play in the GCL, you know every game is going to be a battle.”

Loveland also found its stride late in the 2017 season and returns several starters to continue that momentum. Mike Dunlap’s squad started 3-5-1, then won nine of its final 11 games. The Tigers pulled off a couple of upsets in the tournament before falling to St. X in the district final. Only one started graduated, and Loveland brings back an experienced group of upperclassmen led by Josiah Pokopac, Drew Hartman, Aiden Kopek, Keith Broermann, and Aiden Voellmecke.

Mariemont brings back 18 players from last year’s varsity team that finished 10-5-4. The Warriors will be led by a third-year starter in goal, Evan Wuertemberger.

“We return a lot of guys from last year’s team. Most of them started at some point and got plenty of experience,” head coach Erik Vanags said. ”They are eager to learn and work hard.”

Cincinnati Country Day ran into a stacked Seven Hills team in last year’s district semifinal. The Indians return nearly every starter, most of whom have started since their freshman or sophomore seasons. Last year’s young CCD squad expects to benefit and learn from its past experience.

Led by Tony Buechly, Miller Lyle, Colin Sam, Cader Rowe, Riley Michalski, and Ethan Jeffries, the Indians have high expectations for the 2018 season.

“The team has an even greater level of experience and maturity,” veteran head coach Greg Hirschauer said. “Our players and staff are not really concerned with high expectations, but rather are working hard to improve as players and as a team. We are more than anything having a lot of fun playing and training as a group.”

Madeira graduated two key players, but returns a strong trio of leaders in Ryan Lienhart, Charlie Schmitz, and Ben Ramos. Like most teams in the area, finding depth on the attack will be key to advancing deep into the postseason.

“For the team to make a run in the tournament, we will have to find multiple scoring options,” Mustangs coach Tony Ripberger said. “We cannot rely on one player to do all of our scoring

In the SBAAC, Western Brown is going for its third straight conference title after the program went 17 years without winning a championship.

Players to Watch

Bradyn Riffle, West Clermont, goalkeeper – one of the best keepers in the state will need to be a rock in goal for first-year Wolves head coach Amy Dyer.

Brennan Callow, Seven Hills, defender – Callow was the only local boy named to the American Family Insurance ALL-USA Preseason Boys Soccer Team.

Josh Medlin, CHCA, defender/midfielder– a quality two-way player who also inspires off the field, volunteering with TOP soccer.

Josh McClorey, Mariemont, midfielder – a two-time all-conference and all-city performer for the Warriors.

Austin Snowden, Wyoming, goalkeeper – the junior helped key the Cowboys’ run to the regional semifinals last year.

Grant Murray, McNicholas, midfielder – the senior leads a talented roster mixing experience with newcomers.