Brock Netter, Staff Writer
Southern Ohio Sports Authority is presented by OhioHealth.
A state runner-up, a regional champion, two regional finalists, five district champions, and a number of instant classic games … needless to say, this past boys soccer season was as successful as they come.
Southern Ohio Sports Authority was right there every step of the way, covering individual milestones, improbable feats and wins that changed history.
After a fun-filled year, take a look at our All-Area team, which consists of 25 area players who were at their best throughout the fall season.
Wesley Bailey | Hillsboro | Forward | Senior
Even last season, it was clear that Bailey was dangerous with the ball at his feet. That didn’t change this year. He connected on a goal 23 times and dished out 20 assists, both of which were team-highs, while leading the Indians to 12 wins. He was named all-FAC and first-team all-district for his efforts.
Hunter Barnard | South Webster | Forward | Junior
Barnard’s legend was already cemented after last season, but he continued to showcase why he’s one of the best in the state. His toughness, intuition and soccer IQ helped pace the Jeeps to 15 wins as he set a new school record for goals in a season with 45 — helping his team to another district title. Oh, and he has one more year left on a reloaded Jeep team.
Mason Brown | Chillicothe | Defender | Senior
The captain. In four years with Brown at the center of its defense, Chillicothe played a total of 75 games. They gave up 108 goals — or 1.44 per night — and pitched 29 shutouts. Obviously, Brown couldn’t do it all alone. But the point is, those numbers aren’t coincidental. Brown blanketed his opponents nightly, helping the Cavaliers win 18 games and a district title.
Breyden Byrd | Wheelersburg | Goalkeeper | Senior
Behind every great soccer team is a great goalkeeper who will risk it all to keep the ball from finding the back of the net. That’s what Byrd is for the Pirates, who have won 55 games over the past three seasons with him in between the pipes. This year, Byrd came up with 50 saves for the district champion Pirates, earning SOC II Defensive Player of the Year and first-team All-Ohio honors.
CREDIT: Raymond Gleadle/SOSA
Beckett Camden | Gallia Academy | Forward | Junior
It is impossible to have this list and not mention Camden. It’s what he does best, and it led Gallia Academy all the way to a Sweet 16 appearance. Over the course of the season, he netted 36 goals and dished out 19 assists. He was named the OVC Player of the Year, first-team all-district and first-team All-Ohio.
Ivan Chavez | Zane Trace | Forward | Senior
The Pioneers were flat-out dangerous all year and Chavez was at the center of the storm. Chavez was a first-team All-Ohioan, with the unreal ability to break down defenses and find the back of the net on more than 20 different occasions. Those numbers helped Zane Trace finish 14-6 and make a district final appearance. He was also named SVC Player of the Year for a second consecutive season.
Christian Copen | Valley | Defender | Junior
Valley’s defense was much improved, going from allowing 49 goals last season to just 24 this fall. Copen was the key cog behind the turnaround. He led a defensive unit that gave up just seven goals in conference play as the Indians won 10 games. He was named the SOC I Defensive Player of the Year and first-team all-district.
Ethan Cordle | Minford | Midfield | Senior
There are times it looks like Cordle is simply playing streetball because he makes it look that easy on the field. The ball is simply a Yo-Yo on a string to him in the midfield, and he controls the game incredibly well, which was a huge part of the Falcons winning their first-ever regional title. He finished the year with 20 goals and four assists, earning first-team SOC II honors.
CREDIT: Derrick Webb/SOSA
Carter Dunfee | Chillicothe | Forward | Senior
Special. That’s what Dunfee is on the soccer field. Chillicothe followed his lead this season, all the way to 18 wins and a regional final appearance. In the process, he tallied a program-record 42 goals while additionally passing out 21 assists. He was the FAC Player of the Year, SOSA Player of the Year, first-team all-district and first-team All-Ohio.
Isaac Eyre | Lynchburg-Clay | Goalkeeper | Senior
Eyre was a second-team All-Ohioan last season. That wasn’t good enough, so he turned in a first-team All-Ohio resume this season. He pitched 12 shutouts for the Mustangs and came up with 65 saves, earning first-team all-district honors for the 14-win Mustangs. Replacing him in goal will be very tough.
Kade Glockner | Minford | Goalkeeper | Senior
Offense wins games, but defense wins championships. Minford’s run to the state title was on the back of Glockner in goal, and he was masterful all season long. As the last line of defense for the regional champion Falcons, he came up with 115 saves and only got stronger as the season progressed. He was named first-team SOC II and first-team all-district.
Judah Hanks | Zane Trace | Goalkeeper | Senior
The Pioneers were among one of the top defenses in the area, giving up just 26 goals all season — thanks in large part to Hanks’ effort at goal. Winning 14 games and making a district final appearance, Hanks and the Pioneers’ defense pitched seven shutouts this season. He was named the SVC Goalie of the Year and first-team all-district.
Ethan Hochstetler | Wheelersburg | Midfield | Senior
He’s quick-footed with the ball, aggressive in his pursuit and never backs down. Hochstetler’s headstrong approach night in and night out was a key factor in the Pirates making it to the Elite 8. He finished the season with 17 goals and 15 assists, earning first-team SOC II and first-team all-district honors in the process.
Isaac Herlihy | Chillicothe | Midfield | Senior
Since he stepped foot on a pitch, Herlihy has been different. He operates at a gear few players have, he knifes through defenses with the greatest of ease, and has been the center of Chillicothe’s offense for years. He ends his Cavalier career with four FAC championships, scoring 18 goals with 14 assists this season to earn a district title and first-team All-Ohio honors.
CREDIT: Derrick Webb/SOSA
Max Lauder | Minford | Defender | Junior
Part of Minford’s identity over the years has been having a stingy defense that only gets better as the season progresses. Lauder has been a leader of that back unit, and winning has followed. His efforts helped the Falcons win 19 games, allowing just 25 goals all season on the greatest team in Minford history. He was named first-team SOC II and first-team all-district.
Luke Mautz | Unioto | Forward | Sophomore
When the Shermans needed a play to be made, they looked to Mautz at every single turn. Although the success in the win-loss column was less than desired, the sophomore gave it his all every night and led the team to seven wins and a district final appearance with 27 goals and nine assists. Remember his name. He’s just getting started.
Cade Mock | Gallia Academy | Defender | Senior
You can’t miss Mock, well, in any walk of life quite frankly. He’s 6-foot-7. And he plays every bit of it on the soccer field. He was part of the last line of defense, leading a unit that allowed just 16 goals all season, helping the Blue Devils to 18 wins and an OVC title. He even passed out nine assists and scored a pair of goals.
Myles Montgomery | Minford | Forward | Senior
Over the past five years, the Falcons’ program has been on the rise. But this senior class, led by Montgomery, put them on the top stage. He was the heart and soul of the team, and when things broke down, he was the go-to guy as he connected with the goal 39 times and dished out 25 assists. He was named first-team All-Ohio, leading his team to the state championship game.
Wesley Neal | Ironton St. Joe | Forward | Senior
Look up the word ‘dangerous’ in the dictionary, and there will be a picture of Neal with the ball at his feet. A wizard on the pitch, he was the straw that stirred the drink for the Flyers as they won 15 games and the SOC I, behind his team-high 28 goals alongside 13 assists. He was named the SOC I Player of the Year.
Sully Pelot | Athens | Forward | Senior
It was Pelot’s show this year up top and all he did, much like the players before him, was produce. Earning a first-team All-Ohio honor, the senior was a nightmare for goalkeepers, finding the back of the net on 36 different occasions alongside 22 assists, helping his team to 14 wins and leaving a trail of dominance behind him.
Gabe Polcyn | Fairland | Forward | Senior
Polcyn was no secret on the soccer pitch entering the season, yet he was still a nightmare for the Dragons’ opposition. Leading his team to 12 wins, he connected with the back of the net 17 times and dished out 13 assists as well, earning himself first-team OVC, first-team all-district and first-team All-Ohio honors.
Jayce Rothwell | North Adams | Goalkeeper | Senior
Statistically speaking, North Adams had the best defense in the area. It allowed just 12 goals all year, and a huge part of that was Rothwell in the goal. He threw his body around with reckless abandon and racked up 126 saves as the Green Devils pitched 13 shutouts and made a district final appearance. He was named all-SHAC and first-team all-district.
Dylan Shupert | South Webster | Midfield | Senior
Shupert had the unique ability to do anything the Jeeps needed on the field. Need a goal? He’s got you. Need an assist? Done deal. Chase down a ball? He’ll turn on the burners. He could probably coach, make a save and score in the same sequence. His abilities helped his team win a second straight district championship, earning him first-team SOC II and first-team all-district honors.
CREDIT: Raymond Gleadle/SOSA
Nick Sylvia | Wheelersburg | Forward | Junior
Remember when he scored 43 goals as a freshman? Yeah, that version of Sylvia was back this year. He found the back of the net a school record 59 times, including his 100th career goal, while also dishing out 20 assists for the SOC II and district champion Pirates. He was named the SOC II Player of the Year, first-team all-district and first-team All-Ohio.
Braedon West | Lynchburg-Clay | Forward | Senior
It doesn’t matter how many people the Mustangs graduate, they always reload and West took on an elevated role this season. After scoring just four goals last season, he saw an uptick in his production as he connected on a goal a team-high 15 times, helping the Mustangs win a 12th straight SHAC title. He was named all-SHAC, first-team all-district and first-team All-Ohio.
Honorable Mention Selections
Landon Mautz, Chillicothe; Miller McKenzie, Wheelersburg; Gavin Downey, Minford; Landon Rowe, Ironton St. Joe; Trevor Lochow, Fairland; Tyler Kerns, Western; Will Worthington, Fairfield Union; Liam Mathey, Unioto; Cole Bennett, South Webster; Tate Davis, Hillsboro; Thatcher Brown, Jackson; Beau Hesler, North Adams; Kalin Schneider, Gallia Academy; Owen Groff, Logan Elm; Israel Schneider, South Point; Landon Burns, Miami Trace; Creed Davis, McClain; Logan McIntosh, Fairfield, Tyler Wessner, Whiteoak; Noah Suhemake, Eastern Brown; Chase Davis, Valley; Luke Lewis, Northwest; Landon Robinson, Zane Trace; Aden Parrott, Chesapeake; Brody Wilburn, Wheelersburg.
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