Fairbanks’ boys varsit soccer team is from left, front row, Spencer Beekman, Noah Thorley, Will Schlueter, Vincent Jimenez, Joseph Pacheco, Daniel Montgomery and Braydon Wiedmann, middle row, Jack Nicol, Joey Ziegler, Dylan Tobe, Nate Russell, Kaleb Bosworth, Eli Feller, Pierce Powell and Caleb Wenger; back row, coach Matt Humphrey, Eli Thrush, Zach Picklesimer, Cade Ziegler, Josh Underhill, Cade Feller and coach Nick Bowsher. Not pictured, Drew Rausch. (Journal-Tribune photo by Sam Dillon)
Fairbanks’ varsity girls soccer squad is from left, front row, Lexie Cushman, Madie Cook, Avery Groves, Brynne Stanley and Kate Ruff; second row, Ava Orders, Grace Zahn, Rebecca Dean, Ellie Carter, Addie Thrush and Kate Coy; back row, head coach Randy Spain, Lily Dean, Anna Poling, Elaina Lahmers, Gracie Pyers, Kendra Turner and coach Maddie Spain. Not pictured, coaches Courtney Walk, Andy Hockman and Brent Segner. (Journal-Tribune photo by Sam Dillon)
Fairbanks’ boys soccer squad has a strong veteran nucleus back from last year’s Division III district runner-up team.
The Panthers fell to Columbus Academy, 3-1, during the district title game.
They shared first-place honors with Greenon in the Ohio Heritage Conference with a 6-0-1 record.
FHS was 13-3-3 overall.
The veterans include last year’s top two goal scorers in Cade Feller (12) and Cade Ziegler (11).
Dylan Tobe led the squad in assists with 11.
“This gives us a good attack going forward as we get our defense settled in and organized,” said head coach Matt Humphrey.
Additional lettermen include forward Pierce Powell, midfielders Josh Underhill, Joey Ziegler and Daniel Montgomery and defender Caleb Wenger.
The veterans are supported by a strong freshman class.
First-year high school players include Spencer Beekman, Eli Feller, Vincent Jimenez, Jack Nicol, Nate Russell, Noah Thorley and Braydon Weidmann.
“We graduated 12 seniors last year, which was the largest class in program history,” said Humphrey. “There will be many new pieces on the varsity team this year.
“Assistant coaches Lance Barnett and Nick Bowsher did great jobs with developing the boys on the junior varsity team last year, so they are ready to step in and play.”
Humphrey said the Panthers’ goals are to capture the outright OHC title and advance deep into the post-season.
“Our goal for the season is to be practicing in November,” he said.
FHS girls have veteran team
A total of 15 lettermen return for the Fairbanks girls soccer team.
They include forwards Ellie Carter, Anna Poland and Addie Thrush; defenders Lily Dean, Abby Wurster, Kate Coy, Tara Rice, Kate Ruff, Gracie Pyers and Rebecca Dean; midfielders Elaina Lahmers and Ava Orders; keeper Madi Cook; and keeper-midfielders Avery Groves and Brynne Stanley.
“Our returning lettermen have a considerable amount of varsity experience,” said head coach Randy Spain. “Many of them are returning starters.”
Newcomers to the team are midfielders Kendra Turner, Lexie Cushman and Grace Zahn and forward Grace Hockman.
Spain doesn’t have any real areas of concern for a team that posted an overall record of 11-7-0 during the 2020 campaign.
The Lady Panthers, who fell to Grandview in the Division III district semifinals, were 5-3-0 during Ohio Heritage Conference matches.
That was good for a fourth-place finish.
“I don’t have any real concerns as our team chemistry is strong and the girls want to compete,” said the coach.
Spain said the OHC will once again be a strong girls soccer circuit.
“I think we will be fighting it out with Greenon and West Liberty-Salem for the conference title,” said Spain.
“Our goals are to win conference and district championships.”