The emerald grounds at 640 Hickory Lane was a local soccer fans delight on Saturday afternoon of August 2. The St. Peter’s Spartans Super Soccer Scrimmage drew 18 teams from around north Ohio, including six Richland County teams.
The teams rotated in and out of hour long sets for a total of three matches per team on the day. Event organizer and retired soccer coach Art Varga said the event gives teams a chance to get in some preseason competition. The 33 acre complex was formerly known as Firefighter’s Fields and has undergone a significant transformation, something Varga says the scrimmage also gets to showcase.
“It’s been fantastic,” said Varga of the transformation. The change took four baseball fields to one baseball field, one softball field and three soccer fields. The annual event allows several locals to enjoy the facility together.
St. Peter’s Athletic Director Frank Gordon noted of the grounds, “It’s a diamond in the rough that we need to exploit a little bit more. Not just for ourselves but for other people.”
“People walk away from the scrimmage [and there are] a lot of compliments on the facility and how things have run and the level of competition,” said Varga.
Several fans supported the 18 teams, setting out lawn chairs and taking in preseason action just 14 days from the start of regular season.
MCS: Big program, bigger aspirations
It’s no secret. After falling just a goal short in Columbus, the Mansfield Christian Flames’ 2014 goal is singular: state championship.
“These guys know there’s high expectations on and off the field – in the classroom, when they’re going to the grocery store with their parents – everything,” said first year head coach Steve Armstrong of expectations. The target on the team’s back isn’t growing any smaller but that’s something Armstrong believes his team is ready to tackle.
And fans shouldn’t expect a decline any time soon. The Flames will set their boys soccer program record again with 36 players on their varsity and junior varsity squad. Armstrong estimated that approximately a dozen lettermen are returning and added that between 12 and 13 freshman will join the program, some of which will make a bid for playing time.
Ontario: NOL or bust
The Ontario Warriors are also primed for a good season. Just ask their head coach.
When asked if his squad would be gunning for the top spot in the NOL (Northern Ohio League), Head Coach Gregg Fraley responded, “No we’re not gunning for it; we will get it. Plain and simple.”
Since day one, Fraley said his goal has been an NOL crown. As he implements the third year of his program, that goal is certainly within reach. Fraley’s Warriors lost only three seniors and return a solid group of lettermen led by Erik Klimczynski and Lenell Shelby. Thanks to a solid freshman class and increased participation numbers, the program will also add a junior varsity squad.
TCS: Up for the challenge
The smallest high school in Richland County is no stranger to playing larger schools. In 2014, however, that is especially the case as teams like Akron North, Akron Garfield, Mansfield Senior, Western Reserve Academy, and Rittman all appear on the schedule.
Head Coach Eric Humble acknowledged the schedule’s rigor but added the school has been intensifying their schedule for some time. He said his squad looks forward to the challenge.
The Crusaders will have to replace four seniors on defense alone. Humble noted that returning lettermen on offense bolsters confidence there. As the squad is in “next man up” mode, the defense will have to rise to one of many challenges coming their way this season.
If they do, the county’s smallest high school could offer some big surprises in the form of upsets this season.
Lexington: A return to the crown
One of the biggest OCC battles of the year happens ten days into the season. The 2013 Co-Runner Up with Clear Fork, Lexington will take on two time defending champion Ashland on August 26.
And as far as season goals, Lexington Minutemen have the OCC crown in their sites. Lexington has not won outright since 2008 and last split with rival Clear Fork in 2009. Head Coach Peter Them’s squad is bringing 13 letter winners back and the coach says they right where they expected to be in preseason.
“The thirteen guys coming back are definitely hungry, they’re ready to go, it’s their time. I think we’re at where we need to be,” said Them.
St. Peter’s: Discipline and development
It may just be his first year at St. Peter’s, but veteran coach Don Rissover has seen and coached a lot of soccer. That’s something that will benefit a young, developing Spartans squad led by two seniors Adam Blunk and Michael Barrett. The veteran coach said he will emphasize patience and possession.
“You’re lucky if you get one or two [goals] a game against the competition we have,” said Rissover. The competition he referred includes a Mid Buckeye Conference (MBC) led by rival Mansfield Christian. The Spartans’ coach noted that play in the MBC will serve as a measuring stick for the squad’s progress this year.
“I’d like to see that we do better than we did last year against the teams we play in the league and see how far we come on that,” said Rissover.
Mansfield Senior: The future is now
For first year Head Coach Bryan DeBolt, World Cup champion Germany offered up a timely example in team play and possession.
“That’s what we want to be like. We want to play quick combination passes and that makes us play better than our skills individually,” said DeBolt. Coming together as a team could prove critical to the Tyger’s season.
The team had a solid showing in the OCC last year (8-4-3) but face two obstacles: no seniors returned and their primary goalkeeper chose to pursue study abroad for a term. Debolt said the obstacles will not be used as an excuse and simply asks his team to play to their potential.
While a successful 2014 is the goal, the best is certainly yet to come. The entire team will be eligible to return in 2015.
