Friday, November 14, 2014

NWO Soccer Weekly (Girls') Coach of the Year - Scott Wamer

Toledo - I can think of one word to describe Clay (Oregon) head coach Scott Wamer...intense; but their is a humble and gracious side of Scott Wamer that maybe his immediate family and players in the program would know. This past season had to be one of the best for the longtime head coach of the Lady Eagles of Clay - winning their second TRAC (Three Rivers Athletic Conference) title in 4 years, finishing the regular season as one of the four best girls programs in the state of Ohio in Division I, but more importantly finishing the regular season with no blemish in the lost column. "Coming into this season we did not have any expectation, we thought we could be very competitive but nothing like what we achieved this fall" said Wamer. "This was a young team with some older leadership and they matured at the right time throughout the season. We had a great group of kids with a great skill level that put us on the map".  The Eagles finished the regular season with a 14-0-2 record and heading into the state tournament with the top-seed in the NW District and heading into the Findlay bracket a lot of people would speculate that the Eagles could run into trouble. Clay advanced to the district semifinal to take on a TRAC rival Notre Dame Academy, a team they defeated 3-1 back on September 24th at home - and this time it would be a different result. The Eagles saw their season come to a close on a Dena Deeb finish in the closing seconds of the second extra time period; that loss left Coach Wamer is disarray and what he may need to do differently to propel this very talented team to the next level. 
Courtesy of the Toledo Blade
"We have to recognize the level we are at and where we want to be - with that comes more challenging games and friendlies to instill into our players that we have to learn to compete to big time matches in order to win a district title. A league title is always a good goal to set but being knocked out [by NDA] the way we were was not fulfilling." said Wamer. In retrospect, this Clay (Oregon) program has come a very long way - with being able to play those state powers and creating a winning environment. "I felt that I was the right guy at the right time to get the job here, I was a physical education teacher and just remember recruiting hard for girls who were not playing a fall sport. We only had one club player at that time and by the end of the first year we thought we had a good crop of players." said Wamer. "Now we are getting girls that are coming here that are playing at high level clubs like GTFC Impact and Pacesetter - we are starting to see our youth feeder systems get more numbers and compete. It is a very exciting time and I am looking forward to the future of our program". At the end of the day, Wamer knows what it takes to be a winner and what it means to be successful and achieve goals and dreams that are set - "Our goal is to win a district title, it was good for our younger players to understand the meaning of this year and how it felt to lose that way. Hope we come with a great attitude in the summer workouts and preseason next fall but I am very proud of all of our girls [current and alumnus] who have believed and continue to believe what this program is about". On behave of NWO Soccer Weekly I like to congratulate Clay (Oregon) head coach Scott Wamer on being named the first-ever NWO Soccer Weekly (Girls') Coach of the Year. We wish you nothing but the best and continuing success in your program.



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NWO Soccer Weekly (Boys) Coach of the Year - Andrew Screptock

Toledo - Springfield (Holland) over the last 5 years have started to see a trend that in most year they did not see...yes in the early 2000s the Blue Devils were a easy win for many NLL foes but this past fall they were poised to be one of the elites in northwest Ohio - and they were close.  The Blue Devils advanced to the district final for the first time in school history before falling to eventual Regional finalist Anthony Wayne.  First-year head coach Andrew Screptock, an alumnus of Springfield helped change the environment into a winning environment and building elite players - this fall the Blue Devils finished second in the NLL with an overall record of 14-3-2. 
Courtesy of Toledo Blade
"Coming into the year I think a lot of people thought we peaked since we graduated 9 [seniors] last fall. At times last year, the chemistry was not there, it was a little bit more individuals, but this year the chemistry and working together throughout the year gave us a bit of an edge" said Screptock. With working together and creating a winning environment - come players and Springfield has been very blessed with quality throughout the years and including this year with great seniors such as Sean Miller, Nick and Joe Yeager, Josh Siers, Steven Sekerak and Jacob Schultz. "Those young men were special, they created an environment that all of our younger players fed off of. They should be proud of the foundation they laid [getting to a district final] and now it is the younger players turn to start building it piece by piece". With the shift in Springfield soccer - it is good to say that the younger players are coming through a different environment than most did when they were younger. With the new travel leagues being instilled in the Holland/Springfield township area players are getting a chance to get out and play at a more competitive level. "Recreation leagues were the only thing around in my time coming through - now we are getting club players that start out at Springfield and see themselves going to a more competitive clubs like Pacesetter, TFA and the Toledo Celtics. So it is a great thing to be able to go and work with the younger players and encourage them to take their game to a better level when reaching high school" said Screptock - the Blue Devils ultimate goal is to win a district title and continue to develop players and see them have success.  "We are going to graduate a lot this year including a lot of goals up front and quality defending and goalkeeping but the best thing is to keep pushing these guys and building. We want to have the success and continue to challenge for NLL and district titles and become one of the elite programs in the area." said Screptock. On behave of NWO Soccer Weekly we like to congratulate first-year head coach of the Springfield Blue Devils Andrew Screptock on being named the first-ever NWO Soccer Weekly (Boys') Coach of the Year. We wish you nothing but the best and continuing to build your program.



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Thursday, November 13, 2014

NWO Soccer Weekly (Boys') 'Fantastic' 22



Presents the

2014 'Fantastic' 22

*note that all players are not being ranked in anyway


Camden BuescherSenior,  Midfield/Forward,  St. John's Jesuit (Toledo)

Hector Aguirre,  Senior,  Forward,  Rossford

Collin Clarke,  Junior,  Forward,  St. Francis de Sales (Toledo)

Kyle Rowan,  Senior,  Goalkeeper,  Perrysburg

Daniel Kenner,  Senior,  Midfielder,  St. Francis de Sales (Toledo)

Aerin West,  Junior,  Midfielder,  Sylvania Northview

Zach Harris,  Senior,  Midfielder,  Anthony Wayne (Whitehouse)

Nick Hauck,  Senior,  Forward/Midfielder,  Ottawa Hills

Sean Miller,  Senior,  Forward,  Springfield (Holland)

Tyler Wenzelman,  Senior,  Midfielder,  Perrysburg

Ishmael Gad,  Senior,  Midfield/Forward,  Sylvania Southview

Mason Hill,  Senior,  Defender,  Findlay

Nick Yeager,  Senior,  Midfielder,  Springfield (Holland)

Ben Haselhuhn,  Senior,  Defender,  Sylvania Northview

Thomas Cundliffe,  Junior,  Forward,  Maumee Valley Country Day School

Johnathan Cooper,  Senior,  Midfielder,  St. John's Jesuit (Toledo)

Alexander Majors,  Junior,   Midfielder,   Findlay

Luke Dangler,  Senior,  Forward,  Ottawa Hills

Jarrett Kharalfa,  Senior,  Goalkeeper,  St. John's Jesuit (Toledo)

Josiah Nichols,  Senior,  Forward,  Bowling Green

Hunter Theis,  Junior,  Defender,  Anthony Wayne

Tyler Biggs,  Sophomore,  Midfielder,  Sylvania Northview 

NWO Soccer Weekly (Girls') 'Fantastic' 22


Presents the

2014 'Fantastic' 22

*note that these players are not ranked in anyway

Dena Deeb,  Junior,  Forward/Midfield,  Notre Dame Academy (Toledo)

Allex Brown,  Senior,  Forward, Perrysburg

Karlie O'Keefe,  Junior,  Forward, Sylvania Northview

Payton Sullivan, Freshman,  Forward, St. Ursula Academy (Toledo)

Karleigh Clere,  Sophomore,  Forward,  Clay (Oregon)

Linden 'Lindy' DeLong,  Senior,  Defender,  Perrysburg

Amanda Kovaleski,  Senior,  Forward,  Findlay

Kathleen Duwve,  Junior,  Goalkeeper,  Sylvania Northview

Lauren Micham,  Sophomore ,  Forward,  Sylvania Southview

Reagan Clark,  Freshman,  Midfield,  Clay (Oregon)

Grace Donnelly,  Junior,  Defender/Midfielder,  St. Ursula Academy (Toledo)

Sami Heintschel, Sophomore,  Defender, Clay (Oregon)

Katie Kovacs,  Junior,  Midfield,  Central Catholic (Toledo)

Katie Foster,  Senior,  Defender,  Notre Dame Academy (Toledo)

Kama Hardy,  Sophomore,  Forward,  Cardinal Stritch (Oregon)

Leah Arnsby,  Senior,  Midfield,  Sylvania Northview

Bri Boyd,  Junior,  Defender,  Perrysburg

Renee Saneholtz,  Sophomore,  Defender,  Anthony Wayne

Alicia Hernandez,  Junior,  Midfielder,  Archbold

Jordyn Taylor,  Senior,  Midfielder,  Lake (Millbury)

Erika Myers,  Sophomore,  Goalkeeper,  Springfield (Holland)

Bailey Kurdys, Sophomore,  Forward,  Whitmer


 


 

Wednesday, November 12, 2014

NWO Soccer Weekly (Boys') Player of the Year - Matt Bules






   A competitor with a positive swagger, work rate and ability to lead is the blueprint to Bules' game

Toledo - Sylvania Northview had a season to remember, being in the top half of the state of Ohio in Division I, winning their second straight NLL title and a special senior paving the way for many of his teammates and younger players in the Wildcat program - that special senior is midfielder Matt Bules.  Bules finished off one of his best seasons he has ever had as a player and doing something that he may not be known for...scoring goals.  Bules went on a tear in the middle of the season, tallying goals in nine straight contests and helped keep the Wildcats in position for their first District title since 2007 - but the season took an interesting shift. Back on September 27th, Bules left the St. Francis de Sales with a knee injury - an injury at the time that was undisclosed; but that was not going to stop Bules from performing at a top-level. "The injury was a setback but that is all I thought it was, just a minor setback" said Bules; and it was just a minor setback. In the district semifinal in which the Wildcats dropped on penalties to St. John's Jesuit - Bules continued his brilliance like he had done all season and created many opportunities throughout the extended match, at the end of the match Matt saw his senior season come to an end but it did not keep the quirky and stern Bules from enjoying what the team had accomplished. "I wanted to end my Northview soccer career on a high note and we may not have won a district title but being with my teammates day-in and day-out was a lot of fun and just batting. There are more important things sometimes than winning a title, just being around your brothers and working for each other is gratifying on its own" said Bules. The senior midfielder finished the season with 16 goals and 5 assists and was a key in that dominant midfield the Wildcats
possessed; Bules not known for his goal-scoring output was very impressed with his efforts throughout the season. "It felt great scoring goals and helping the team in anyway I could. I know I may not be that player [scoring] but sometimes being in the right position and putting chances away makes you feel great" said Bules - and it gave a Wildcats a boost at times when they needed it the most. Watching a player like Matt Bules, sometimes it can raise those hairs on your arm. His relentlessness and competitive edge is worth the ticket of admission - so many times this fall this young man would just do something in a match that was worthy and noted by any opposing player, coach or fan could admire. If you ask me - whatever this young man received in the post-season with accolades - it was rightfully deserved. This fall, Bules was named First Team All-NLL, All-District and All-Ohio; joining many great players that have come through the Sylvania Northview soccer program. With all those accolades, Matt was selected as the NLL Player of the Year and now named the first ever NWO Soccer Weekly Boys' Player of the Year. Bules hopes to attend the Ohio State University and planning on continuing his soccer with the club soccer team in Columbus.  When asking Matt about what he wants to leave behind younger players and future players coming through the Wildcat program he stated "Go out and always give 100 percent, we are a family first and have to put our own personal egos behind because it can sink a team's chemistry". Fourth-year Northview head coach and alumnus Jon Haynes raved about Bules' performance this past fall "Matt's senior year caps a great career for him. He has always been a hard working, tough as nails kind of kid. Seeing him excel in his last year was an absolute pleasure" said Haynes. "He's a tough
Courtesy of Toledo Blade
competitor and did not settle for anything less than success. Most importantly though, Matt is an outstanding man and ambassador for his team, his school and the community [of Sylvania]". Congratulations to Matt Bules on this prestigious award and being our first ever on the boys side and we wish you nothing but the best in his future endeavors both academically and athletically.




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NWO Soccer Weekly (Girls') Player of the Year - Abby Allen

Courtesy of Toledo Blade

Steady, pacey and just a flat out goal scorer - AW's Abby Allen a cut above many in NW Ohio and the State

Toledo - Not many student-athletes can say they have done what Abby Allen has been able to do in her high school soccer career - help propel the Generals to three straight district finals (2 district titles and a regional final appearance), leave the program as the all-time goal scorer, leader in assist (both career and season) and be a first-team All-Ohioan, but when talking to this young lady she will not talk about herself but more about the team.  "It has been great to play in this program and get such a great experience like the one I have had" said Allen. "We are such a family and we have deserved everything that we have accomplished", with that being said the Generals have become one of the top girls' programs not only in northwest Ohio but in the state. Allen's ability and skill to score goals have taken this program to new heights, coming in as a freshman Allen set the tone early with her abilities and to be a danger for any team's defending four or goalkeeper. This fall, Allen finished with 26 goals and in a match back in Findlay on September 29th she finished with two goals in that match and passed her older sister and former northwest Ohio talent Kate to become the Generals' all-time leader in goals.  With all of the talent that graduated this past summer, most felt that Allen would have to take on more responsibilities but she would have to disagree with that statement - "I knew it would be different this year but we worked hard and as the season went on and our chemistry got a lot better and it really came together for us. Coach Williams always preaches family and working for each other and it was just an awesome year I could not be more proud of our team" said Allen.  When watching a player of Abby Allen's caliber you hate to see them graduate and move on because it is such a great thing to see when you have a chance to watch her - next fall Abby will continue her soccer career at Indiana University in Bloomington, Indiana in the Big Ten...like her sister Kate did at Northwestern University. 
Courtesy of Toledo Blade
When asking her about the next level, she felt very confident and ready to adjust her game at the collegiate level - "It will be a tough adjustment but I am looking forward to the challenge. I have met many of the girls and they are all very nice and looking forward to all of the new players coming in" said Allen.  Abby is a two-way athlete; she is a starter on the Anthony Wayne girls' basketball team and helped them immensely last winter and with balancing athletics and other various extracurricular activities Allen ranks as the top student in her graduating class of 2015 at Anthony Wayne with a GPA of 4.8 - Allen sets the bar for many who are coming into the AW program or regulars who are currently still active in the program. "It is important leaving a great mark with being the leading scorer in the program but realistically it is leaving a positive experience so young players can achieve their goals both personal and as a team. I remember that when I was a freshman and being so excited for the years to come".  This fall Allen has collected many accolades including being named first team All-NLL, All-District and All-Ohio; while being named the unanimous choice for the NLL and District Player of the Year and now the first-ever NWO Soccer Weekly Girls' Player of the Year. Anthony Wayne head coach Lori Williams had nothing but great words to say about the senior leader; "In my opinion the sky is the limit for a player like Abby. She is just so natural in front of goal and has a great tactical sense" said Williams. "To get the attention she was getting in matches [from] opponents and putting up the number of goals and assist that she did is incredible and speaks volumes of the player she has become. She is a not only a great player but a great person and it is a testament to her family and how she has been brought up. She and all of our great seniors will be missed next fall". On behalf of NWO Soccer Weekly we congratulate Abby on her terrific season and receiving such a prestigious award - we wish you nothing but the best in your future endeavors both academically and athletically.


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