Boys Soccer Preview: a team-by-team look at the 2022 season

A team-by-team preview of the 2022 boys soccer season:

Central Christian

Coach: Alex Steiner (seventh season)

Last season: 13-6-1 (2-2-1 Tri-County League, 3-0-0 Mid-Buckeye Conference)

Returning letterwinners: Seniors Dallas Hostetler, Thatcher Rohrer and Nate Byler; juniors Kyle Sommers, Brayden Neuenschwander and Adrien Lehman; sophomores Aaron Miedel, Silas Coleman and Carson Hostetler

Player to watch: Dallas Hostetler. One of the top-two offensive threats entering this season, this senior will look to build on a strong campaign last year. With a power foot, speed to explode and a high soccer IQ, he is a tough out for any opponent and is sure to light up the frame this fall.

Outlook: A staple over the years for Comet soccer has been an incredible defense, fundamental skills and a high knowledge of the pitch. This year will be no different as Thatcher Rohrer and Nate Byler anchor the defense, Silas Coleman slides into the midfield and Hostetler buoys the attack. That combination of skill separates them from most of the pack.

Chippewa

Coach: Mike Chmura (second season)

Last season: 12-5-1 (6-3-1 WCAL)

Returning letterwinners: Seniors Aiden Betts, Dominic Ferrell, Clark Lassiter and Chase Woodford; junior Elliott Utter; sophomores Jacob Hercog, Noah Raffle and Wyatt Riggenbach

Player to watch: Clark Lassiter. The senior defender, who is very quick to the ball and helps generate transition play, will be counted on again to help alleviate pressure on the defense. He'll again be at the center of it all for the Chipps.

Outlook: Lassiter isn’t alone in forming the core for Chippewa as Aiden Betts, Dominic Ferrell, Chase Woodford and Elliott Utter each will play big parts on this year's squad. After a run to the Div. III district finals, this year's team will be looking for another successful playoff run in 2022.

Hiland

Coach: Scott Bodiker (23rd season)

Last season: 14-6-1 (3-1-1 TCL)

Returning letterwinners: Seniors Reese Mullet, Shawn Troyer, Drew Nisley, Trevor Hochstetler and Kurt Kaufman; juniors Corban Miller, Jonas Risner and Tom Leinbach; sophomores Zeke Bodiker and Ohlen Troyer

Player to watch: Reese Mullet. With an uncanny ability to find the back of the net, this senior led the team a year ago and is back to create more havoc this year.

Outlook: Similar to most years in Berlin, the Hawks are simply reloading across the board despite losing some top-shelf seniors last year. With five rugged seniors, who combined have enough experience to lead any team in the state, they will be at the center this year's edition trying to break through to state.

Loudonville

Coach: Steve Seaman (11th season)

Last season: 7-9 (1-2 MBC)

Returning letterwinners: Brett Carnegie, Aaron Stephenson, Keltin Baker, Zeke Hershberger, Brendon Hess, Aidan Neibert, Sam Sly, Christian Guterriez, Caleb Hammitt and Brayden McQuillen

Player to watch: Aidan Neibert. The junior forward led the team a year ago with 11 goals as he provided the spark offensively. This fall, he will be counted on to step his game up further as the Redbirds will need his punch to contend in the conference and throughout the season.

Outlook: With a relatively young squad, Loudonville will be looking to build throughout the season and contend in the MBC. Neibert will set the pace for the ‘Birds this year and give the defense time to build cohesion in the early stretch.

Norwayne

Coach: Jake Zimmerly (10th season)

Last season: 16-2 (10-0 WCAL)

Returning letterwinners: Senior Hayden Ringle; juniors Trey Bayless, Jack Maibach, Payton Lance, Yikealo Maibach, Isaiah Steiner and Caleb Keiper; sophomores Jon Graham, Parker Metsker, Braden West, Cooper Ringle and Connor Preattle

Player to watch: Jon Graham. The pedigree is there as proven by older brothers and former area standouts Jacob Graham and Nic Graham for this talented sophomore. Now out from under their shadow, Jon, a sophomore, should blossom this fall as a centerpiece in the midfield.

Outlook: Losing leading scorer Nic Graham from last year's team, this years Bobcats will be looking to find the right combination in the offensive third. While that comes together, the defense should be stout and with junior Trey Bayless and Jon Graham in the midfield, Norwayne will be able to control the pace of the play.

Orrville

Coach: Will Armentrout

Last season: 16-2-1 (12-0 Principals Athletic Conference)

Returning letterwinners: Seniors Ryne Armentrout, Deninssonn Lopez, Jonathan Gonzales and Bryan Cruz; juniors Jafet Irias, Jerson Lopez, Noah Andrew and Corbin Tompkins; sophomore Kaleb Wayt

Player to watch: Deninssonn Lopez. The skilled senior forward has made a living around the frame in racking up 76 career goals and helping the Red Riders to win three straight PAC crowns. He again will play no small part of that as he seeks to fire shots this fall to spark his team.

Outlook: Ryne Armentrout, Jonathan Gonzales, Bryan Cruz and Lopez will again be at the center of the Red Riders' mission to win the PAC crown. The quartet will set the tone and the pace as Orrville competes this year and aims for postseason success as well.

Rittman

Coach: Bud Olszewski (27th season)

Last season: 3-14-1 (0-9-1 WCAL)

Returning letterwinners: Luke Robinson, Bradyn Raber, Kerem Cakmak, Talyon Edgar, Brody Taylor, Jeff Kindel, Jonah Carr and Tyler Hill

Player to watch: Jonah Carr. The senior is the team’s best all-around player as he can match up defensively and also provide a spark offensively. This fall, he will be counted on to set the pace at both ends of the pitch as the Indians battle a tough WCAL.

Outlook: In a tough league slate, the Indians will be counting on Carr along with Kerem Cakmak, Jeff Kindel and Bradyn Raber to lead the way. Combined, they will be formidable opponents for any team this fall.

Smithville

Coach: Dave Zimmerly (first season)

Last season: 5-10-3 (2-6-2 WCAL)

Returning letterwinners: Cole Maibach, Jaaron Nussbaum, Cooper Torrence, Luke Oberlin, Tyler Harris, Kaiden Martin, Garrett Harmon, Myron Kintyhtt, Quinn Maibach, Aaron Meech and Ethan Piatt

Player to watch: Cole Maibach. The senior will be at the center of this year’s team as it looks to reclaim its spot atop the league standings. A captain and vocal leader with high soccer IQ, he will help this year's team grow.

Outlook: With a new coach in Zimmerly, the Smithies will count on picking up the changes quickly and implementing them on the pitch. Maibach and Luke Oberlin will help make the transition much smoother.

Triway

Coach: Jamie Bickle (seventh season)

Last season: 6-10-1 (6-5-1 PAC)

Returning letterwinners: Seth Miller, Mason Mathis, Aeron Meshew, Breidyn Flinner, Hunter Snell, Zane Kota, Gabe Ison, Wyatt Wood, Landon Hochstetler and Zach George

Player to watch: Aeron Meshew. The talented goalkeeper played well a year ago and helped keep his team in games. This fall, he will be looked upon once again to keep his unit organized and command the box.

Outlook: A relatively young squad, Triway will look to grow throughout the year and play tough in the PAC. Led by Seth Miller, Mason Mathis, Gabe Ison and Meshew, the Titans will be a team looking to contend with an eye towards growth.

Tuslaw

Coach: Brian Ohm (fourth season)

Last season: 1-15-1 (0-12 PAC)

Returning letterwinners: Conner Ohm, Miranda Rojas, Caleb Knight, Nathan Lindsay, Luke Brown and Zach Byrd

Player to watch: Miranda Rojas. The skilled junior midfielder is a player who sees the field and initiates the attack. This year, he will be counted on to do more of the same and put the ball on the frame.

Outlook: Led by Conner Ohm, Zach Byrd and Rojas, the Mustangs will look to make noise this fall in the conference. With Ohm’s ability to score, Rojas' skill in the midfield and Byrd in the net, Tuslaw has the pieces to spring some upsets.

Waynedale

Coach: Larry Cerniglia (32nd year)

Last season: 7-6-4 (4-3-3 WCAL)

Returning letterwinners: Noah Cerniglia, Dylan Raber, Connor Reich, Ethan Wells, Braden Mast, Jordan Griffin, Tyson Troyer and Ethan Lemon

Player to watch: Noah Cerniglia. The team's second leading scorer a year ago and best offensive threat, Cerniglia will be looked upon to create offensively and get his team organized in the offensive third. No question, this fall, he will be central to the success of this team.

Outlook: With a new season, the Golden Bears will be looking to contend in a wide open WCAL this fall after Norwayne. With Cerniglia anchoring the offense, Waynedale will look to give its defense time to become a cohesive unit as it looks to build throughout the season.

West Holmes

Coach: Joshua Wengerd (first year)

Last season: 2-15, 0-6 Ohio Cardinal Conference

Returning letterwinners: Seniors Brayden Franks and Bryce Franks; juniors Braylon Porter and Alex Zaugg; sophomores Sami Latouf and Alex Pringle

Players to watch: Brayden and Bryce Franks. The twins will be counted on to anchor the backline this fall for the Knights as they look to rebuild. The brothers have plenty of experience and will look to nurture the growth of those around them this fall as the program builds throughout the season.

Outlook: During his first year coaching the Knights' boys team, Wenged is looking to inject some positivity and growth. This year's Knights squad will be focused on learning as they build forward.

Wooster

Coach: J.P. Lytle (fifth season)

Last season: 14-5-1 (5-1 OCC)

Returning letterwinners: Brendan French, Simon Schonfeld, Hunter Kuenzli, Luis Canas, Brody Schultz, Aidan Holford, Alex Navarro, Nick Morse, Luke Boucher, Griffin Owen and Tommy Henson

Player to watch: Brendan French. This senior offensive leader could be one of the best facilitators in area history. He scored 15 goals and had 16 assists a year ago and has 19 goals and 25 assists for his career. This year, he will look to incorporate new weapons atop the attack and no doubt will find the back of the nylon himself.

Outlook: French and Simon Schonfeld are the two biggest names on this team this year, but the senior class as a whole is as good as they come. Schonfeld is one of the best defenders to ever play in the area and French is electric offensively, giving the Generals two stars on which to build another successful team.

Editor's Note: Northwestern did not submit info in time for the preview deadline.

This article originally appeared on The Daily Record: High School Boys Soccer Preview 2022: team-by-team overview