See notable players, top schools and biggest games for this year's boys soccer season.
St. Ignatius midfielder Yianni Sarris, left, and the rest of the Wildcats should be in the hunt for another state championship.NOTABLE PLAYERS
Luke Blades, St. Ignatius, Sr., MF: Davidson recruit plays left midfield and has the ability to create problems from the wing.
Kenny Cunningham, Brecksville, Sr., MF: Division I second-teamer scored 15 goals and had six assists to help Bees reach district semifinals. Team captain moves to front line at times. He has 30 career goals.
Toby Frohlich, St. Edward, Sr., GK: Most experienced player on the squad will be called on for leadership role for young team. Recorded nine shutouts last season.
Jackson Heller, Bay, Sr., F: The team's top returning scorer with 10 goals and four assists a year ago. A workhorse up front, good instincts around the net make him difficult to mark.
Ryan Ivancic, St. Ignatius, Sr., MF: Plays the right side with good speed up and down the wings to serve the ball.
Vlad Lekarev, Strongsville, Sr., MF: Versatile player can go in back or up front. Led the Mustangs with 15 goals and three assists. Named to the U.S. Soccer Academy starting 11.
David Murrow, Strongsville, Sr., MF: Attacking midfielder considered one of the best in the state. Led Mustangs in assists with 10.
Nick Parianos, Walsh Jesuit, Soph., F: Made his presence felt as a freshman with six goals and five assists.
Kam Patterson, Brecksville, Sr., F: With 16 career goals, he has become a dangerous player up front with a good goal sense.
View full sizeBay senior Alec Petro (in white) will move from midfield to forward this season.
Alec Petro, Bay, Sr., F: Scored five goals with eight assists last year playing midfield. Will move into the scorer's role this season. Good on restarts. Does the punting and kicking for the football team.
Brian Potocnik, Aurora, Sr., MF: One of three starting seniors on team, scored 11 goals and had 11 assists. Experienced varsity player will be called on to lead strong group of underclassmen.
Jake Russell, Twinsburg, Sr., GK: Posted seven shutouts against strong opponents. He has been able to keep his club in games and has shown improved game during off-season.
Cory Ricketts, Chagrin Falls, Sr., F: Four-year player moves from midfield to striker. He will be counted on to finish as Division II Tigers lost nearly all of their scoring punch.
Yianni Sarris, St. Ignatius, Sr., MF: Creative midfielder is on the varsity for his fourth season.
Josh Sandoval, North Olmsted, Sr., F: Helped get the Eagles to regionals with 20 goals and eight assists.
Ian Stalker, St. Edward, Sr., MF: Key defender covers a lot of ground. Starts the attack out of the back with his ability advance the ball.
Simon Sugerman, Orange, Jr., F: Target player with size and speed. Scored 11 goals as a sophomore.
Jack Thompson, CVCA, Sr., MF: Scored 18 goals, with two assists, to help the Royals reach the Division III final.
Brent Townsend, Walsh Jesuit, Sr., F: Leading returning scorer with eight goals and two assists. Plays bigger than 5-5 size, has a quick shot.
Brett Restivo, Orange, Sr., D: Anchor on defense returns for second starting role as sweeper.
Bryan Wolanksi, Strongsville, Jr., F: Pure finisher was second in goals for the Mustangs with 10.
NOTABLE TEAMS
Aurora (13-4-1 last season): Expectations are high for the Division II Greenmen, who were a sophomore-laden squad a year ago. Eight starters return, including three seniors, for a team that allowed 16 goals. Schedule includes six Division I opponents.
Bay (17-2-2): The Rockets lost the Division II final to Columbus DeSales, who they play at home Aug. 28. Consistent program has been to two state finals, a semifinal and a regional final since 2005. There are 14 seniors on the club, with seven starters returning.
Brecksville (10-3-5): Lost district semifinal to North Royalton. There are 15 seniors on the team, with 10 starters returning, so the experience is there. Tough schedule will have Bees ready come playoff time.
Chagrin Falls (15-2-1): Division II Tigers lost to Lake Catholic in district final. They scored 58 goals last season, 50 of them by departed seniors, so new offensive leaders are a must. Only three starters return.
CVCA (16-1-5): The Royals' lone loss came in the Division III title game to Worthington Christian, 2-1. Coach Jon Taylor has enough back to make another run.
Gilmour Academy (11-4-5): The Lancers return 10 players that went 3-1 in the postseason, their best showing since 2001.
Orange (6-9-3): The Lions graduated 11 seniors, but return seven starters for a competitive club. Mixture of youth and experience can pay off in stacked Chagrin Valley Conference.
St. Edward (8-7-4): After a down year, the Eagles look to reload. They still reached the district semifinals before losing to rival St. Ignatius. Five senior starters return, but strong group of learning underclassmen will be put to the test.
St. Ignatius (22-1): The Wildcats nearly won their second straight Division I title, but fell in a shootout to Gahanna Lincoln. They will be in the hunt again with five returnees and an influx of new talent.
Strongsville (17-2-3): Both losses were to St. Ignatius last season, including the state semifinals. Seven starters return to get the job done.
Twinsburg, 7-5-6: The Tigers lost to Massillon Jackson in the district semifinals. Six starters are back for a club with solid goalkeeping that can be a spoiler.
Walsh Jesuit (7-8-4): The Warriors suffered their second losing season in 32 years, but still made it to the Division II regional semifinals where they lost to Lake Catholic. The Warriors will be a veteran team with 15 players back, including 12 seniors and eight starters.
KEY DATES
Monday: Season starts.
Oct. 18-23: Sectional tournaments.
Oct. 25-30: District tournaments.
Nov. 2 and 6: Regional tournaments.
Nov. 9-12: State tournament.