By JAMIE BAKER
Staff Writer
Winning the North Central Ohio Soccer Association boys soccer championsip will be a little more challenging this season.
That’s because Liberty-Benton has been added as the league’s ninth school.
Other schools in the NCOSA include Van Buren, Cory-Rawson, Riverdale, Upper Sandusky, Ada, Mohawk, Tiffin Calvert and Old Fort.
Adding the Eagles to the league has been a long time coming.
The NCOSA was around before L-B started playing varsity boys soccer, and for whatever reason, the Eagles never applied nor were ever invited to join the locally-based soccer-only conference.
“I’ve been requesting that we join the league for three years. We were finally able to get it done,” said Liberty-Benton boys soccer coach Drew Aukerman, who has a 71-27-11 record in six seasons as head coach.
“It’s nice to finally be in a conference with the rest of the Blanchard Valley Conference schools. The guys are excited about it. They are thrilled they finally get to play for a title against teams like Riverdale and Van Buren.”
While there is plenty of optimism at Liberty-Benton this season after strong showings in scrimmages against Kalida and Celina, the Eagles aren’t ready to say they’re going to roll through the rest of the NCOSA in their first year.
“We’re young. We only have six upperclassmen, the rest of them are sophomores and a handful of freshmen,” Aukerman said. “I think our freshman and sophomore classes are the most technically sound group we have ever had, They are smart and know what to do. They just need to get a little bigger and stronger.”
There’s no doubt the Falcons, Black Knights and Hornets are looking forward to the Eagles entering the league. They’ve all played Liberty-Benton in the past and adding league championship implications to the games will just add fuel to the fire of an already heated rivalry on the soccer field.
“It will make the league stronger and I think more balanced. You are going to have to be well-prepared for every game,” said longtime Van Buren coach Tom Swaisgood.
“In the past when you lost or tied a league game your chances to win the league were diminished. I think a lot of teams can win one day and lose on another.
“If you lose a game, I think there’s a chance you can get some help from another team to get back into it.”
The Knights, who are coming off a 16-4-1 record in 2010, won the NCOSA last season with a 6-0-1 mark while reaching the district finals.
Graduation, though, took a toll on the Knights as they lost their top three scorers and NCOSA player of the year Andrew Shroll.
“I think we have a lot of potential, we just have to find some guys who can put the ball in the net,” Swaisgood said. “We have a lot of defenders back but I think they key for us and all teams is being able to develop that consistency.”
MSSL CHANGES: Four NCOSA teams — L-B, Mohawk, Old Fort and Tiffin Calvert — will retain membership in the Midland Suburban Soccer League(MSSL), which has undergone some revisions of its own.
Tiffin Columbian is the fifth school in the six-team MSSL. The sixth school used to be Fremont St. Joseph, but Marion Harding will now fill that spot after St. Joe didn’t have enough bodies to field a team this fall.
Despite being a Division I school, Marion Harding has struggled in soccer and was left without a home when the Greater Buckeye Conference disbanded.
TOUGH TESTS: Expect another rough and tumble season in the Putnam County League. There are several story lines to watch this year.
• Kalida and Ottoville both have veteran squads returning. The Big Green fell in the regional tournament to Ottawa Hills while Kalida has 12 returning veterans from last year’s team that posted a 15-1-3 record and was a perfect 5-0 in the PCL.
• Kalida coach Mark Czubik is just three wins away from becoming the 14th coach in Ohio boys soccer history to win 300 games in their career. Czubik’s career record is 297-73-49 in 23 seasons.
• There are a trio of new coaches in the PCL this fall. Greg Luthman takes over at Fort Jennings, Steve Smucker is the new coach at Pandora-Gilboa and Brian Stegbauer steps in at Continental.
NO INFO: Information on boys teams from Ada and Miller City was not available.
Bluffton
HEAD COACH: Dave Fett (13th year, 134-70-32).
2010 RECORD: 6-11-1 overall.
RETURNING LETTERWINNERS: Lucas Harnish, sr.; Logan Steingass, sr.; Kory Enneking, jr.; Nathan Little, sr.; Nathan Bunch, jr.; Ryan Sprague, soph.; Billy Thiesen, soph.; Jonathon Moser, soph.; Stephen Tartarkov soph.; David Nester, soph., Andrew Hoff, soph.
TOP PROSPECTS: Not available.
NOTABLE: Last year's 6-11-1 record was a rarity for a Bluffton program that has had terrific success over the years. The Pirates should be improved but will still be very young with just three seniors and nine sophomores and juniors returning this season.
Continental
HEAD COACH: Brian Stegbauer (1st year).
2010 RECORD: 8-6-3 overall; 2-3 Putnam County League.
RETURNING LETTERWINNERS: Bret Slattman, sr. defender; Brandon Scott, sr., defender; Dakota Scott, sr., forward; Hank Krendl, sr., defender; Clay Bracken, sr., defender; Brandon Burke, sr., midfielder; Jacob Schwarzman, sr., goalkeeper; Tyler Dockery, jr., midfielder; Dalton Bradford, jr., midfielder; Dallas Geckle, soph., forward.
TOP PROSPECTS: Austin Geckle, jr., forward; Zach Schwarzman, fr., midfielder; Chaz Slattman, jr., defender; Matthew Bracken, soph., midfielder; Austin Mansfield, soph., goalkeeper; Nick Manning, soph., forward; Grant Bradford, soph., defender; Adam Lawhorn, soph., defender; Joey Swagger, fr., midfielder.
NOTABLE: Bret Slattman, a 6-foot-2 defender, was an honorable mention all-PCL selection last season and is one of 10 lettermen back for first-year coach Brian Stegbauer.
Cory-Rawson
HEAD COACH: Doug Egts (1st year).
2010 RECORD: 4-14 overall, 1-6 North Central Ohio Soccer Association.
RETURNING LETTERWINNERS: Cole Benner, sr., midfielder; Daniel Curth, sr., midfielder; Garrett Wieman, sr., sweeper; Elliott Ice, jr., goalkeeper/midfielder; Jason Sands, jr., forward; Zach Smith, jr., fullback; Austin Brown, soph., midfielder/fullback; Ryan Egts, soph., goalkeeper/sweeper; Matthew Schutz, soph., forward/midfielder; Brandon Strait, soph., forward/midfielder; Mason Waltz, midfielder; Brent Warren, soph., fullback/midfielder.
TOP PROSPECTS: Kyle Rossman, soph.; Jacob Edwards, fr.; Caleb George, fr.; Kyle Sands, fr.
NOTABLE: The Hornets will be looking for a turnaround in Egts first season as head coach. It could happen too as he has a dozen letterwinners returning, including three-year letterman Cole Benner and returning all-league performers Jason Sands and Ryan Egts.
Fort Jennings
HEAD COACH: Gregg Luthman (25th year, 175-194-57; 4th year at Fort Jennings, 20-25-6).
2010 RECORD: 8-6-6 overall, 2-1-2 Putnam County League.
RETURNING LETTERWINNERS: Jason Berelsman, sr., D/F; Jeremy Kohli, sr., D/MF; Ethan Schimmoeller, sr., D/MF; Jeremy Schimmoeller, sr., D/MF; Aaron Schnipke, sr., D/MF; Nick Verhoff, sr., D/MF; Tyler Wiedeman, sr., MF/F; Brian Wurst, sr., MF/F; Seth Ricker, so., MF/F.
TOP PROSPECTS: Chad Recker, sr., MF/F; Petey Van Loo, sr., D/GK; Nick Verhoff, sr., D/MF; Dylan Eldridge, jr., D/MF; Seth Ricker, soph., MF/F; Mark Metzger, fr., MF/F; Alex Vetter, so., GK; Garrett Berelsman, soph., D/MF; Connor Wallenhorst, fr., D/MF; Dylan Van Loo, soph., MF/F.
NOTABLE: Hoehn, Fort Jennings' coach from 2000 to 2002, is back at the helm and has four returning starters and nine returning letterwinners.
Heritage Christian
HEAD COACH: Tim England (15th year).
2010 RECORD: 3-10 overall, 2-5 Ohio Christian Conference.
RETURNING LETTERWINNERS: Dillon England, sr.; Mike Neal, sr.; Daniel Kalmbach, jr.; Sam Berry, jr.; Luke Schaffer, jr.; Matthew Beal, soph.; Josiah Long, soph.; Winfield Oestreich, soph.
TOP PROSPECTS: Jacob Aller, fr.; Jordan Beal, eighth grade; Stephen Schultz, eighth grade; Joe Oestreich, seventh grade.
NOTABLE: After strugging with inexperience the past two seasons, Heritage Christian has a very experienced team back thie year. Returning all-Ohio Christian Conference selection Daniel Kalmbach will likely lead the way for the Minutemen.
Kalida
HEAD COACH: Mark Czubik (23rd year, 297-73-49).
2010 RECORD: 15-1-3 overall, 5-0-0 Putnam County League.
RETURNING LETTERWINNERS: Tyler Erhart, sr., midfielder; Nick Guisinger, sr., defender; Tyler Heitmeyer, sr., midfielder/defender; Eric Hill, sr., midfielder/defender; Nathan Kortokrax, sr., midfielder/defender; Tyler Kortokrax, sr., midfielder; Austin Roebke, sr., defender; Cody Schipke, sr., forward; Drew Stechschulte, sr., goalkeeper; Kevan Unverferth, sr., midfielder/forward; Ryan Erhart, jr., midfielder/defender; Ian Richey, soph., midfielder/forward.
TOP PROSPECTS: Ben VonDerEmbse, sr., midfielder/forward; Ryan Korte, jr., midfielder/forward; Trevor Guisinger, soph., midfielder; Kyle Kehres, soph., defender; Andrew Krouse, soph., defender; Adam Langhals, soph., midfielder/forward.
NOTABLE: Kalida is coming off of a sensational season defensively that saw the Wildcats post team records for consectutive shutouts (7), fewest goals allowed (4) and most shutouts in a season (15). Goalkeeper Drew Stechschulte, a second team all-PCL selection, is back to man the net for Kalida.
Liberty-Benton
HEAD COACH: Drew Aukerman (7th year, 71-27-11).
2010 RECORD: 11-5-3 overall, 4-1 Midland Suburban Soccer League.
RETURNING LETTERWINNERS: Erik Naliborski, sr., forward/midfielder; Andrew Wanamaker, sr., midfielder; Austin Elliott, sr., defender; Grady Oaks, jr., midfielder; Jacob Lyberg, soph., midfielder; Chandler Gray, soph., defender/midfielder; Zach Garver, soph., midfielder/forward; Peyton Schroeder, soph., forward; Dillon Burkett, soph., goalkeeper.
TOP PROSPECTS: Andrew Twining, jr., forward/midfielder; Nick Farwig, jr., defender; Ricky Siferd, soph., defender; Brian Miller, soph., defender; Lee Lauer, soph., forward; Rhett Schroeder, soph., forward/midfielder; Drew Dole, soph., defender; Brian Dailey, soph., defender; Logan Whitaker, fr., defender/midfielder; Eli Norden, fr., midfielder; Jake Bixler, fr., defender/midfielder; Griffin Rath, fr., midfielder; Tyler Vorst, fr., midfielder.
NOTABLE: Liberty-Benton has a 34-3-1 record all-time in MSSL play. The Eagles should also benefit from the return of goalkeeper Dillon Burkett, who recorded a solid season in the net last year as a freshman.
Ottawa-Glandorf
HEAD COACH: Mike Weihrauch (15th year, 180-52-40).
2010 RECORD: 7-6-5 overall, 2-4-3 Western Buckeye League.
RETURNING LETTERWINNERS: Nate Brickner, sr., midfielder; T.J. Metzger, jr, midfielder; Matthew Kaufman, jr., forward; Mathias Klausing, sr., defender; Alex Fuetter, sr., midfielder; Winston Fuetter, sr., midfielder; Austin Maag, sr., midfielder; Korey Niese, sr., midfielder; Nathan Schmiedebusch, sr.; Eric Beckman, jr., forward; Cody Bockrath, jr., defender; Cory Imm, jr., defender.
TOP PROSPECTS: Jon Eiden, jr., defender; Brandon Lauth; Riley Lauth, jr., defender; Lee Ellerbrock, jr., defender; Nate Toumazos, jr., midfielder; Mike Rosebrock, jr., defender; Isaac Fuetter, soph., forward; Brad Nuveman, soph., goalkeeper.
NOTABLE: The Titans have excellent team speed and will be improved defensively, according to Weihrauch.
Ottoville
HEAD COACH: Eric Gerker (5th year, 57-17-4).
2010 RECORD: 18-2 overall, 4-1 Putnam County League.
RETURNING LETTERWINNERS: Josh Schroeder, sr.; Julian Trejo, sr.; Evan Laudick, sr.; Austin Markward, sr.; Sam Beining, sr.; Kenny Jackson, sr.; Blake Gerdeman, sr.; Adam Beining, sr.; Greg Rue, sr.; Dylan Klima, jr.; Bryan Hohlbein, jr.; Matt Burgei, jr.
TOP PROSPECTS: Alex Horstman, soph.; Lucas Maag, soph.; Jordan Kelch, soph.; Brandt Landin, fr.; Austin Honigford, fr.
NOTABLE: The Big Green return experience at nearly every position and should be one of the teams battling for the Putnam County League title and a return trip to the Division III regional tournament.
Pandora-Gilboa
HEAD COACH: Steven Smucker (1st year).
2010 RECORD: 5-11-1 overall, 1-5 Putnam County League.
RETURNING LETTERWINNERS: Chris Wagler, sr., goalkeeper; Brittany Watkins, sr., defender; Caleb Tijerina, jr., defender; Kristy Howe, sr., midfielder; Erica Rusk, soph., defender; Bryant Hovest, soph., defender.
TOP PROSPECTS: Shaye Watkins, fr., forward; Bri Sherer, fr., defender; Tony Burkhart, fr., midfielder/utility; Dakota Frederick, soph., midfielder; Conner Hovest, fr., utility; Alyssa Niese, sr., forward; Dakota Hashbarger, fr., midfielder; Courtney Warren, fr., midfielder.
NOTABLE: The only area school that has a boys soccer team but no corresponding girls team, P-G will again feature a co-ed lineup. The Rockets will be very young this season with just 14 players on the roster, including six freshmen.
Riverdale
HEAD COACH: Jon Hayfield (10th year, 109-54-19).
2010 RECORD: 9-9-1 overall, 4-3-1 North Central Ohio Soccer Association.
RETURNING LETTERWINNERS: Nathan McKee, sr., midfielder; Gage Hankins, sr., defender; Caleb Shultis, jr., midfielder/forward; Ryan Gilbert, sr., goalkeeper; Joel Beavers, jr., midfielder; Tyler Weatherholtz, jr., midfielder; Kip Elwood, soph., defender; Marco Kroiter, soph., defender/midfielder; Nick Parsell, soph., midfielder.
TOP PROSPECTS: Martin Brenneman, jr., defender; Jimmy Fox, soph., midfielder; Austin Gilbert, soph., forward/midfielder; Kolten Martin, soph., forward/midfielder; Chris Meyers, soph., midfielder; Brandon Rall, soph., defender/goalkeeper; Chad Pevers, fr., utility; Austin Clark, fr., midfielder/forward; Aaron Gil, fr., defender.
NOTABLE: Riverdale suffered heavy graduation losses, but the Falcons still have nine returning letterwinners and will be one of the stronger teams in the NCOSA again this year.
Upper Sandusky
HEAD COACH: Keith Miller (8th year, 48-64-7).
2010 RECORD: 14-3-1 overall, 4-2-1 North Central Soccer Association.
RETURNING LETTERWINNERS: Derrick Skillman, jr., midfielder/forward; Shin Nagahama, jr., midfielder; Orrin Koepke, jr., midfielder; Derek Hartschuh, sr., defender; Shawn Frey, sr., defender; Luke Miller, jr., midfielder; Justin Miller, soph., midfielder/forward; Scott Warfel, jr., defender.
TOP PROSPECTS: Jaime Boucher, sr., midfielder; Willam Amert, jr., goalkeeper/defender; Cody Shuster, jr., midfielder; Kyle Miller, jr., midfielder; Justin Stonebburner, jr., defender; Austin Pirc, jr., midfielder/defender; Brad Sipe, soph., forward; Dillon Barto, soph., defender; Clay Musgrave, fr., goalkeeper/defender; Ben Smith, fr.; defender; Brad Roeder, fr., midfielder/defender; Alex McMillan, fr., midfielder/defender; Nick Reid, fr., midfielder; Aaron Pirc, fr., midfielder; Kyle Romanko, fr., midfielder.
NOTABLE: It was the best season in Upper Sandusky's history last year and the Rams aim to keep it going. They have a solid group of returning players including Derrick Skillman and Justin Miller, who were first team all-NCOSA selections last year.
Van Buren
HEAD COACH: Tom Swaisgood.
2010 RECORD: 16-4-1 overall, 6-0-1 North Central Ohio Soccer Association.
RETURNING LETTERWINNERS: Brian Davidson, sr., stopper; Tyler McGrain, sr., goalkeeper; Josh Roberts, sr., sweeper; Lucas Reed, sr., midfielder; Zac Rader, sr., midfielder; Tyler Hiatt, sr., midfielder; Brett Turner, jr., defender; Preston Wise, jr., midfielder; Chandler Adams, jr., midfielder; Dillon Sexton, jr., utility; Daniel Roberts, soph., midfielder; Michael Domke, soph., midfielder; Shaun Hobbs, soph., forward; Alex Dewey, soph., forward; Laike Matthes, soph. midfielder.
TOP PROSPECTS: Nathan Keck, jr., defender; John Rafferty, soph., halfback; Nathan Maynard, fr., goalkeeper; Seth Jacomet, fr., forward/goalkeeper; Matt Bock, fr., forward/midfielder; Bryce Bowers, fr., forward; Ian Rafferty, fr.
NOTABLE: Van Buren will be looking for a little help on offense this season. The Black Knights lost their top three offensive players to graduation including NCOSA player of the year Andrew Shroll.
Baker, 419-427-8409
jamiebaker@thecourier.com