Marysville’s girls varsity soccer team is pictured from left, front row, Paige Krueger, Megan Daniel, Cam Lee, Kennedy Shaffer, Kasey Duke, Vivian Blevins, Gab Lee and Ava Zwiezinski; second row, Macie Powers, Maci Sherick, Emily Thomas, Shannon Cordle, Leah Brown, Paige Thallman, Coco Hurtubise and Olivia Brooks; back row, coaches Maddy Shepherd and Evan See, Makenna Renevier, Brielle Young, JoJo Eberhart and coaches Christian Blevins, head coach Courtney Weikart and Casey Hammond. (Journal-Tribune photo by Sam Dillon)
There is a new leader this fall for the Marysville High School girls soccer team.
Former Lady Monarch player Courtney (Ricker) Weikart takes over from Nathan Andrews, who resigned after the 2020 season.
MHS finished with an overall record of 6-7-5 and tied for second (2-1-2) in the Ohio Capital Conference.
Returning lettermen include forwards JoJo Eberhart and Cam Lee; midfielders Olivia Brooks, Vivian Blevins, Makenna Renevier and Leah Brown; defenders Macie Powers, Kasey Duke and Gab Lee; and goal keepers Shannon Cordle and Brielle Young.
Newcomers to the varsity are forwards Emily Thomas, Megan Daniel and Paige Krueger; midfielder Maci Sherick and defenders Coco Hurtubise, Paige Thallman, Kennedy Shaffer and Ava Zwiezinski.
“I am excited to see where this year takes us because we are really talented across the board,” said Weikart. “Having experience in each line is a huge advantage and the newcomers are already showing great promise and contributions.
“We have speed up top and strong outside backs that will help us in the attack as well as defend,” said the coach. “Our midfield is loaded with talent and experience, so I expect big things from them.
“Our senior goalkeeper (Young) will be the key anchor in the back with her ability to keep us organized and come up with big saves when needed.”
Weikart said she doesn’t have any real concerns early in the season.
“The biggest challenge will just be the girls working through the style of play I am pushing them towards,” she said.
Weikart said the Lady Monarchs hadn’t discussed specific goals for the season during preseason practices.
“However, we are always working towards district championships,” she said. “Capturing the third district championship for the program is definitely at the top of the list.
“From a program perspective, my goal this season is to set the foundation for what the culture and essence of Lady Monarch soccer will be for years to come.”
MHS boys hope to make upward move
Marysville’s boys varsity soccer squad team has only one direction to go this fall and that’s up.
The Monarchs struggled to a 2-12-2 record last year during coach Brent Harmanis’ first season at the helm.
The team also placed sixth in the Ohio Capital Conference.
Returning lettermen include keeper Grant Kaifas; defenders Bryce Thomas, Caleb Skidmore and Jared Boomstra; midfielders Danny Dougherty, Fernando Rios, Gabe Tangeman, Samuel Skidmore, Seth White, Xavier Heller and Wyatt Griffith; and forwards Cory Cordell, Grayson Stanford and JJ Riggsby.
“We have a hardworking team that should be good defensively, led by our goalie Grant Kaifas,” said Harmanis. “We’ll be better in possession this year, with an up-and-coming midfield group.”
Newcomers to the varsity during the 2021 campaign will be midfielders Cedrik Miyajima, Christian Gonzales and Tyler Sprague; defensemen Jack Geer and Magnus Winter; and keeper Will Walling.
“It’s a new team that is still learning their roles and a new system,” said the coach. “Right now, our greatest challenge is developing our attack and finding out how we can consistently generate chances and score goals.”
Harmanis has set a high goal for this year’s team.
He wants to multiple the Monarchs’ victories by five.
“One of our goals is to win 10 games this year and compete for an OCC championship,” he said.
Harmanis noted the conference looks to be “tougher than ever.
“Dublin Jerome and Olentangy Berlin will reload after strong 2020 seasons,” he said. “Hilliard Darby and Olentangy have both taken a step forward and Thomas Worthington played in the regional finals a year ago.
“That being said, we’ve also taken a big step forward and are ready to compete for an OCC title.
“We also want to win a district championship,” said the coach. “These are lofty goals, but we believe if we stay healthy, we have the talent to compete with anyone.”
Marysville’s boys varsity soccer team is pictured from left, front row, Cedrik Miyajima, Colin Barta, Trevor Clute, Seth White, Bryce Thomas, Caleb Skidmore, Grayson Stanford, Will Walling, Wyatt Griffith and Miles Armstrong; second row, Fernando Rios, Jack Gear, JJ. Riggsby, Christian Gonzalez, Danny Dougherty, Magnus Winter, Gabe Tangeman, Merrick Reynolds and Sam Skidmore; back row, coach Andrew Taylor, Ben Evers, Xavier Heller, Cory Cordell, Jared Boomstra, Trey Phillips, Tyler Sprague, Grant Kaifas, coach Scott Harmanis and head coach Brent Harmanis. (Journal-Tribune photo by Sam Dillon)