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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