PLAYERS TO WATCH
(in alphabetical order)
Brady Benisek, Gilmour: One of the best goalies in Ohio, he is an athletic, dynamic goalie as well as a communicator and organizer in the defensive third. This standout senior for the Lancers was named to the Division II All-Ohio second team last year with 105 saves and nine clean sheets.
Kyle Bennett, Beachwood: The Bison have legitimate hopes of making another deep run in the postseason, and this veteran center back, who has been a mainstay of the team since day one, is a major reason why, as he was just named to the D-III All-Ohio second team.
Vince Carriero, Kirtland: In the Hornets’ newly formed team, this veteran midfielder showed he has the ability to be a leader in attack with 19 goals and 16 assists last year, and that ability will be needed for another round.
Harley Forkins, Catholic Lake: This veteran forward is the total package: he has size, speed, a fantastic left foot, set piece threat and so much more. He scored 28 goals and had 16 assists in his junior season and is helping lead a Cougars team that rightfully has high goals this fall.
Grant Keilin, Beachwood: This attacking midfielder last year is back for another attack. He’s a 1-on-1 nightmare with a lethal left foot and an excellent resume that included 37 goals and 18 assists last fall and earned 2023 USC Fall All-American honors.
Alex Miljanovic, Catholic See: There’s no better one-two punch in the News-Herald’s coverage than Forkins and this talented senior, whose clinical finishing and tricky serve skills led to 22 goals and 15 assists for the Cougars’ 19-2 record last fall.
Owen Pesek, Catholic Church in Lake: On a strong D-II Final Four team a year ago, this junior midfielder showed promise with six goals and seven assists, earning third-team praise from the News-Herald.
Arturo Rangel, Harvey: A second-year midfielder returning to his home district after a year at St. Ignatius, his work ethic and skill may only scratch the surface, which he demonstrated with a goal and an assist in a stunning 2-1 win over Bay on Aug. 21.
Carter Richmond, Gilmour: While he may not have the production of other attackers on this list, this veteran forward’s pace, work ethic and gutsy play have long made him one of the area’s trickiest players in the attacking third, recording seven goals and six assists as a junior.
Antonio Soto, Harvey: Long a key cog in the Red Raiders’ defensive third, this senior operated more in the midfield in 2024 and has the ball-winning ability, physicality and an eye for dangerous, well-timed serves to succeed there and build on a five-goal, three-assist season in 2023.
GAMES TO WATCH
West Geauga at Chagrin Falls (Aug. 27), Kenston at Lake Catholic (Aug. 29), Massillon Jackson at University (Aug. 31), North at Mentor (Sept. 7), Harvey at Hawken (Aug. 10). Sept.), Gilmour at Chagrin Falls (Sept. 14), Wickliffe at Kirtland (Sept. 17), Andrews Osborne at Lake Catholic (Sept. 19), University at Twinsburg (Sept. 19), Gilmour at Mayfield (Sept. 21), Walsh Jesuit in University (Sept. 24), North in Kenston (Sept. 24), Beachwood in Hawken (Sept. 26), Gilmour in NDCL (Sept. 26), Madison in Kirtland (Sept. 27), Lake Catholic in Walsh Jesuit (Sept. 28), Kirtland in Beachwood (Oct. 1), Harvey in Kenston (Oct. 3), Mentor in Avon (Oct. 7), Lake Catholic at NDCL (Oct. 8), Gilmour at Harvey (Oct. 8), NDCL at Mentor (Oct. 10), Riverside at Harvey (Oct. 10), University at Gilmour (Oct. 10)
PENALTY SHOOTOUT
• Andrews Osborne announced in April that it would switch to a prep program model, with Drago Dumbovic, who led the Phoenix to the 2023 Division III state title, coaching that team. However, AOA athletic director Rudy Kirbus confirmed to The News-Herald that the Phoenix will continue to field a varsity team that will compete in the OHSAA postseason and play local opponents. As usual, AOA rosters will not be finalized until around Labor Day. Kirbus also confirmed that the prep and varsity rosters will remain separate.
• Longtime North coach Steve Misick has said this fall, his 36th on the sidelines for the Rangers, will also be his last. Misick, one of the News-Herald’s leading coaches, led North to a memorable Division I regional run in 2005 when the Rangers went 13-5-2. Throughout his tenure, he has consistently produced tough, competitive teams that have consistently forced opponents on the opposite sideline to score.
• Unfortunately, each year a team from the area covered has been lost. Cardinal, which briefly fielded separate boys and girls teams before switching back to a co-ed team last season due to low numbers, withdrew from the OHSAA postseason on Aug. 20.
• It’s notable how much turnover there was across the reporting area compared to last year. Of the 31 2023 News-Herald All-Star boys soccer honorees, 22 were seniors, including Player of the Year and Lake Catholic All-American midfielder Marko Odorcic. There’s no doubt there are other worthy candidates to keep an eye on beyond the 10 listed above. But for now, a cautious approach is best.
• The OHSAA’s new five-division postseason format will take some getting used to. The largest number of representatives will be in the new D-III, including local leaders Lake Catholic, University and Harvey. Beachwood, a D-III elite eight-team last fall, and AOA, as mentioned last year’s D-III state champion, are in the new D-IV along with Gilmour. There is an opportunity to make a splash there.
• As for the best starting lineup in our region, the nod probably still goes to Lake Catholic with Miljanovic and Forkins so electric as forwards. But after so much turnover in the midfield and defense, there is a need for new personnel to keep the Cougars’ frenetic and varied combo style going. Beachwood also makes a pretty good case. In addition to Keilin and Bennett, Daniel Park showed potential in the midfield with 10 goals as a freshman, and Jaycob Zabell’s 12 goals showed a finishing ability that could improve as a senior on such a solid team. On defense, Josh Rosenblitt is a Division I college baseball prospect but one of the better goalies in this region.
• Most of University’s offensive players from last fall are gone, including forward Anderson Gardner. In fact, of the projected 11 U.S. starters, two players from last fall’s first team are back, which is highly unusual for the Preppers. Still, this defensive third group could be quite good with goalie Michael McNally and defenseman Aaron Moss, who can step into the attack at fullback and contribute, as evidenced by five assists in 2023. U.S. will employ its smart, sharp combo style, and there are plenty of opportunities for a new offensive key player.
• Mentor is in a similar position, with five varsity goals from 2023. But first-year forward Rapolas Ogorodnikas has three goals and two assists in the early going and could be the primary scorer this team needs, and veteran goaltender Derek Uffolz should be an anchor on defense. The Cardinals’ depth is beyond question, so this newly formed team will need to develop quickly.
• Chagrin Falls could be a comeback candidate after an atypical 3-14-2 season. The Tigers were hit hard by the injury wave last year, giving young players plenty of minutes on the team, which should be beneficial in 2024. Oscar DiFranco (nine goals, five assists in 2023) and Owen Edwards (6-5) lead Chagrin’s offense.
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