Hornet boys will seek consistency
Highland soccer squad coming off hot-and-cold season
Highland’s boys soccer team will look to have a bit more of an even keel this season. Photo by TODD STUMPF
Highland’s boys soccer team experienced an up and down 2016 – up midway through when the Hornets held a winning record, but down toward the close of the season.
As a result, Highland stumbled to a 7-9-1 mark, including 2-3-1 in the Suburban League American Conference.
The Hornets have incurred some losses from last year’s campaign, but coach Bob Sefcik intends to emphasize on his squad’s ball-handling capabilities.
“In order to be successful, we will need to be able to defend well as a team and look to keep the ball moving in possession,” Sefcik said. “We are extremely talented with the ball at our feet, but aren’t the most physically imposing team out there.”
Highland bade farewell to leading scorer Blake Hatch and Kurt Everett, who led the team in assists, as well as Joshua Woolard and Vinny Prescenzi.
Nick Surowicz, who was awarded honorable mention honors by the SL, is the remaining leading scorer for the squad. He will be joined by fellow seniors Noah Nerlich, who made the All-SL second team at midfielder and defenders Evan Shelton and Larkin Cleland.
A large junior class is led by Ben Petersen, who will man the net, while Andras Fabian plays forward. Eli Fragnoli, Jacob Gallaspie, Christian Heini, Tyler Madison, and Ben Schaefer comprise an able corps of midfielders.
Junior Chris Sollenberger and sophomore Ryan Giggiano return on defense and will be joined at the position by newcomer senior Matt Erba.
The roster remains fluid as Sefcik counts on the players to push one another. These position battles will harden the Hornets for the tough season that lies ahead.
“We will have a lot of competition in various aspects of our roster which will only help push us towards a return to the top end of the Suburban League,” Sefcik said. “Our team is hungry to get off to a strong start and look forward to the challenge of another difficult regular season campaign.”
Sefcik, entering his seventh season at the controls, expects improvement on all levels for the Hornets despite the stiff competition.
“A successful season for us is to compete at the top of the Suburban League as well as in district play,” he said. “Both the league and the district are top quality in the state and we want our name to be featured with those at the top of each group.”
Girls soccer
Opposite of its male counterpart, the girls soccer team bounced back from a slow start to notch another winning season while making a respectable tournament run that ended with a district semifinal loss to top-seeded heavyweight Medina.
The Hornets, who finished 10-8-1 overall with a 2-4 mark in the SL American Conference, had trouble putting the ball in the net all season. They lost six seniors from last year’s squad, including co-leading scorer Rachel Huttner as well as Elayna Yuschak (3 goals, 1 assist), Maeghan Mittler (3 goals) and Jamie Alexander.
Despite those losses, coach Bill Zufall is hopeful that his squad can hang with the likes of Aurora and Revere.
“I believe we will be in the conversation of competing at the end of the season,” he said.
Those lost scoring opportunities should be assumed by the return of senior Daniella Delfino and junior Makayla Gresenuk. Gresenuk was tied with Huttner for the scoring lead with four goals.
Other returning letter winners include seniors Isabella Adams and Hannah Webb, juniors Colleen Flannery, Cassidy Angus, Lauren Choban, and Sarah Pleasant, and sophomore Kalle Hotes. Flannery registered four assists last season.
Highland also welcomes several new talented players into the fold, including freshman Bella Delfino and sophomore goaltender Nichaela Noebe, both of whom are slated to crack the starting lineup.
Sophomore Mia Robinson and Liz Origlio will see time, as well as freshmen Hanna and Kenzie Haneberg, along with Madelyn Madison.
Add it up, and Zufall sees the Hornets making some noise this season, and possibly accomplishing something no other Highland team has accomplished since joining the SL.
“We’re a young talented aggressive team looking to compete for our first league title,” he said.
As a result, Highland stumbled to a 7-9-1 mark, including 2-3-1 in the Suburban League American Conference.
The Hornets have incurred some losses from last year’s campaign, but coach Bob Sefcik intends to emphasize on his squad’s ball-handling capabilities.
“In order to be successful, we will need to be able to defend well as a team and look to keep the ball moving in possession,” Sefcik said. “We are extremely talented with the ball at our feet, but aren’t the most physically imposing team out there.”
Highland bade farewell to leading scorer Blake Hatch and Kurt Everett, who led the team in assists, as well as Joshua Woolard and Vinny Prescenzi.
Nick Surowicz, who was awarded honorable mention honors by the SL, is the remaining leading scorer for the squad. He will be joined by fellow seniors Noah Nerlich, who made the All-SL second team at midfielder and defenders Evan Shelton and Larkin Cleland.
A large junior class is led by Ben Petersen, who will man the net, while Andras Fabian plays forward. Eli Fragnoli, Jacob Gallaspie, Christian Heini, Tyler Madison, and Ben Schaefer comprise an able corps of midfielders.
Junior Chris Sollenberger and sophomore Ryan Giggiano return on defense and will be joined at the position by newcomer senior Matt Erba.
The roster remains fluid as Sefcik counts on the players to push one another. These position battles will harden the Hornets for the tough season that lies ahead.
“We will have a lot of competition in various aspects of our roster which will only help push us towards a return to the top end of the Suburban League,” Sefcik said. “Our team is hungry to get off to a strong start and look forward to the challenge of another difficult regular season campaign.”
Sefcik, entering his seventh season at the controls, expects improvement on all levels for the Hornets despite the stiff competition.
“A successful season for us is to compete at the top of the Suburban League as well as in district play,” he said. “Both the league and the district are top quality in the state and we want our name to be featured with those at the top of each group.”
Girls soccer
Opposite of its male counterpart, the girls soccer team bounced back from a slow start to notch another winning season while making a respectable tournament run that ended with a district semifinal loss to top-seeded heavyweight Medina.
The Hornets, who finished 10-8-1 overall with a 2-4 mark in the SL American Conference, had trouble putting the ball in the net all season. They lost six seniors from last year’s squad, including co-leading scorer Rachel Huttner as well as Elayna Yuschak (3 goals, 1 assist), Maeghan Mittler (3 goals) and Jamie Alexander.
Despite those losses, coach Bill Zufall is hopeful that his squad can hang with the likes of Aurora and Revere.
“I believe we will be in the conversation of competing at the end of the season,” he said.
Those lost scoring opportunities should be assumed by the return of senior Daniella Delfino and junior Makayla Gresenuk. Gresenuk was tied with Huttner for the scoring lead with four goals.
Other returning letter winners include seniors Isabella Adams and Hannah Webb, juniors Colleen Flannery, Cassidy Angus, Lauren Choban, and Sarah Pleasant, and sophomore Kalle Hotes. Flannery registered four assists last season.
Highland also welcomes several new talented players into the fold, including freshman Bella Delfino and sophomore goaltender Nichaela Noebe, both of whom are slated to crack the starting lineup.
Sophomore Mia Robinson and Liz Origlio will see time, as well as freshmen Hanna and Kenzie Haneberg, along with Madelyn Madison.
Add it up, and Zufall sees the Hornets making some noise this season, and possibly accomplishing something no other Highland team has accomplished since joining the SL.
“We’re a young talented aggressive team looking to compete for our first league title,” he said.