Grizzlies expecting big things in ’17
Squad returns 2016 starting lineup nearly intact
Wadsworth’s boys soccer team has big expectations this season after returning most of its 2016 starting lineup. Photo by GLEN RUTHERFORD/Glen Rutherford Photography
Wadsworth’s boys soccer team has lost just two games in its first two years of play in the Suburban League National Conference. The Grizzlies, though, have nothing to show for that.
A pair of 5-1-1 seasons left Wadsworth just shy of the championship each time. It’s something the Grizzlies will look to rectify this year.
“We need to get over the hump and challenge for the league title,” Grizzlies coach John Johnson said. “Our league is very challenging with Hudson (league champions 2016), North Royalton (league champions 2015), Brecksville, Stow, Twinsburg, Cuyahoga Falls, and Nordonia. Several of these teams return a good number of players and the league will be very challenging this season.”
The Grizzlies were 12-4-2 overall last season. Their losses were minimal, with three players graduating and another exchange student heading home. All-SL defender Austin Wolfinger was the big name among them.
Johnson has one of his biggest groups of returning letter-winners in his 21 years as head coach, so that hump may be about to be cleared.
Leading that group are seniors Ben Arnold (6 goals, 5 assists and second-team All-SL in 2016); senior Matt Studenic (5 goals, 4 assists, second-team All-SL); Andrew Robinson (2 goals, 5 assists); captain Connor Mendel (3 goals, 2 assists, first-team All-SL); Nathan Coard (2 goals, 1 assist), captain Josiah Sovine (first-team All-SL); Andrew DePero; Derek Kraft; Nathan Reed; Kyle Large; and goalie Tyler Randolph.
Kai Wagner (4 goals, six assists) leads a junior class that includes Seth Beldean (1 goal, 3 assists) and Max Lenc (2 goals), while sophomore David Chirumbole returns after scoring 13 goals as a freshman.
“We return 10 starters from last year’s team and are excited about the upcoming season,” Johnson said. “Our strength will be our experience, return 15 letter winners, and we will look to that veteran leadership to lead us through a difficult schedule. Our key scorers are returning so we are hoping to be able to put the ball in the net this season.”
The Grizzlies don’t have a lot of room for newcomers, so there are only a handful. Senior Aidan Rooks, who appeared in three varsity games last season, is joined by juniors Owen Porpora, Mason Warholic and Noah Porter, and sophomores Chase Rodgers and Brayden Humphrey.
The Grizzlies were set to open the season on Aug. 19 in Fort Wayne, Ind. Other schedule highlights include games Aug. 26 at Greater Cleveland Conference defending champ Brunswick, Sept. 19 at SL National rival North Royalton, Sept. 23 at home against 2016 Division I final four participant Medina, and Oct. 10 at SL National co-favorite Hudson.
“We need to keep things simple and not look ahead to certain teams on our schedule and just take it a game at a time,” Johnson said.
A pair of 5-1-1 seasons left Wadsworth just shy of the championship each time. It’s something the Grizzlies will look to rectify this year.
“We need to get over the hump and challenge for the league title,” Grizzlies coach John Johnson said. “Our league is very challenging with Hudson (league champions 2016), North Royalton (league champions 2015), Brecksville, Stow, Twinsburg, Cuyahoga Falls, and Nordonia. Several of these teams return a good number of players and the league will be very challenging this season.”
The Grizzlies were 12-4-2 overall last season. Their losses were minimal, with three players graduating and another exchange student heading home. All-SL defender Austin Wolfinger was the big name among them.
Johnson has one of his biggest groups of returning letter-winners in his 21 years as head coach, so that hump may be about to be cleared.
Leading that group are seniors Ben Arnold (6 goals, 5 assists and second-team All-SL in 2016); senior Matt Studenic (5 goals, 4 assists, second-team All-SL); Andrew Robinson (2 goals, 5 assists); captain Connor Mendel (3 goals, 2 assists, first-team All-SL); Nathan Coard (2 goals, 1 assist), captain Josiah Sovine (first-team All-SL); Andrew DePero; Derek Kraft; Nathan Reed; Kyle Large; and goalie Tyler Randolph.
Kai Wagner (4 goals, six assists) leads a junior class that includes Seth Beldean (1 goal, 3 assists) and Max Lenc (2 goals), while sophomore David Chirumbole returns after scoring 13 goals as a freshman.
“We return 10 starters from last year’s team and are excited about the upcoming season,” Johnson said. “Our strength will be our experience, return 15 letter winners, and we will look to that veteran leadership to lead us through a difficult schedule. Our key scorers are returning so we are hoping to be able to put the ball in the net this season.”
The Grizzlies don’t have a lot of room for newcomers, so there are only a handful. Senior Aidan Rooks, who appeared in three varsity games last season, is joined by juniors Owen Porpora, Mason Warholic and Noah Porter, and sophomores Chase Rodgers and Brayden Humphrey.
The Grizzlies were set to open the season on Aug. 19 in Fort Wayne, Ind. Other schedule highlights include games Aug. 26 at Greater Cleveland Conference defending champ Brunswick, Sept. 19 at SL National rival North Royalton, Sept. 23 at home against 2016 Division I final four participant Medina, and Oct. 10 at SL National co-favorite Hudson.
“We need to keep things simple and not look ahead to certain teams on our schedule and just take it a game at a time,” Johnson said.