ASHLAND BOYS

Coach — Dustin Hosler (fourth year, 29-16-8)

Last year's record and league finish — 9-5-4, 3-1-2 (third in OCC)

Returning letter winners — Seniors Roman Ramirez (M), Owen Sharick (M), Bryce Thompson (GK), Trace Myers (D), Braxton Hunt (D), Cavan Davis (D); juniors Luke Driscoll (M), Ayden Behrendsen (F), Bradyon Martin (D)

Promising newcomers — Senior Jayson Schneider (F); sophomore Abe Parillo (M); freshmen Sebastian Roberts (M), Grant Koleno (F), Kaden Howman (F)

Letter winners lost — Ten

Team differences between this season and last — “We graduated a very large and strong class. This team is young in terms of on-field varsity experience, but they mesh well together and move the ball well together. It will need to be a total team effort each and every game.” - Hosler

Team strengths — “Right now, leadership is starting to form, certain ones are stepping up and the closeness of the team is a huge advantage. The starting 11 should be a solid group of players.” - Hosler

Team weaknesses — “Lack of time in varsity games. We have to replace seven to eight starters and many have not had a lot of time at the varsity level. We will be relying on the senior leaders to drive the younger players and get them up to speed in a very short time.” - Hosler

League prediction — “A lot of the teams in the [Ohio Cardinal Conference] graduated large classes. We want to compete for a league title and feel that we will be in that conversation.” - Hosler

ASHLAND GIRLS

Coach — Lee Hunt (third year, 111-67-14 career)

Last year's record and league finish — 11-6-3, 5-1 (tied first in OCC)

Returning letter winners — Seniors Chloe Biddinger(D), Karissa Beverly (M), Morgan Meeting (M), Aubrey Hubler (F), Bella Dravenstott (D), Gracie Fussner (D), Caley Biddinger (D/M); juniors Claire Plank (F), Ella Argo (M); sophomores Lauren Green (M), Hannah Wade (M)

Promising newcomers — Freshmen Amelia Hunt (M), Madison Beattie (M), Haylee Bond (D), Adi Helbert (M)

Letter winners lost — Five

Team differences between this season and last — “We will try to infuse more youth this year than in the past. We want to be competitive this year while building towards the future.” - Lee Hunt

Team strengths — “We have a lot of girls that have a lot of quality varsity experience.” - Lee Hunt

Team weaknesses — “Our strength of schedule doesn’t really lend itself to us having one bad game. We play some of the best teams in the state night in and night out.” - Lee Hunt

League prediction — “We always strive to finish first in a very competitive Ohio Cardinal Conference. We tied for first last season and have expectations to win it outright this year.” - Lee Hunt

CRESTVIEW BOYS

Coach — Mike Pond (second year, 4-10-1 at CHS, 132-130-6 career)

Last year's record — 4-10-1

Returning letter winners — Seniors Devin Holloway (M/F), Jace Hill (F); juniors Tyler Holloway (D), Kole Eichelberger (D), Tyler Magers (F); sophomores Ty Callahan (GK), Ryan Holloway (M), Trent Weaver (D), Kaden Dickerson (M/F), Tyler Aumend (M), Everett Smith (M), Carter Gallaway (F/M)

Promising newcomers — Sophomore Josiah Carmean (GK/M); freshmen Drew Spoerr (D/M), Owen McKinney (M), Zach Peterman (F), Aidan Dingus (D)

Letter winners lost — One

Team differences between this season and last — “We really are blessed to return almost the entire team from last year’s relaunch of Crestview boys soccer. Last year’s team was young and, although we are still only looking at five upperclassmen, we have grown and will be stronger this year.” - Pond

Team strengths — “We have returned the same core of last year’s team and have a great work ethic. The boys were committed to offseason workouts and have developed a bond as a team. They are looking to build on a lot of lessons learned last year.” - Pond

Team weaknesses — “We are still a young team with only two seniors. Twelve freshmen and sophomores on a varsity team means we’re still fighting some size problems as well.” - Pond

CRESTVIEW GIRLS

Coach — Elizabeth Webb (third year)

Last year's league finish — First in MBC

Returning letter winners — Senior Emma Aumend (D); juniors Gracie Dinsmore (D), Kylee Salser (D), Baileigh Jo Cordrey (F); sophomores Elyse Belcher (M), Lily Cline (D), Mady Mack (GK)

Promising newcomers — Freshmen Addy Kline (F), Devon Hickey (M), Olivia Grant (M), Haili Benedict (D)

Letter winners lost — Six

Team differences between this season and last — “We will have a lot of opportunities for new and upcoming players to make a difference for our team. We have great leadership on our defensive line and will need less experienced [players] to step up and make their own way for our team to be successful.” - Webb

Team strengths — “Our strength will be our defense. We have the most returning players and leadership in those positions. We have many players that are ready to make a difference. [We] just have to get them in [the] right positions to do so.” - Webb

Team weaknesses — “We will need to find who is going to score for us and score consistently. We graduated the majority of our offense, and it is an opportunity for a lot of our younger players to make an impact right away.” - Webb

League prediction — “[The Mid-Buckeye Conference] is always a battle every game we play. We will put our best foot forward and fight in every conference game to get the best outcome we can. We are definitely a younger team than some of the more experienced teams in our conference this year.” - Webb

HILLSDALE GIRLS

Coach — Michele Lahmers (first year)

Returning letter winners — Seniors Paige Meck (D), Grace Glass (D), Tesa Ross (D), Brooklyn Diaz (M); juniors Erica VanStee (M/GK), Kori Vesper (M/GK); sophomores Kaydance Henderson-Schneiter (D), Elizabeth Cox (D/M), Maddie Emminger (D/M)

Promising newcomers — Freshmen Gretchen Heldenbrand (M/S), Tessa Butcher (M/S), Zoe Ritchie (M/S)

Team differences between this season and last — “We have all new leadership for the team. The team has been working incredibly hard in the offseason. The girls are working hard to play as a unit and really understand different techniques.” - Lahmers

Team strengths — “Our defense is incredibly strong. We have some seniors that have really stepped up in leading the team on and off the field. We have some underclassmen that have really put the time into getting stronger and fundamentally better.” - Lahmers

Team weaknesses — “We are a young team. The underclassmen have really risen to the challenge.” - Lahmers

League prediction — “[Our goal is] to win [the Wayne County Athletic League].” - Lahmers

LOUDONVILLE BOYS

Coach — Steve Seaman (11th year, 50-108-9 at LHS, 189-169-28 career)

Last year's record and league finish — 7-9, 1-2 (third in MBC)

Returning letter winners — Seniors Brett Carnegie (CB), Aaron Stephenson (CB); juniors Keltin Baker (F), Zeke Hershberger (M), Brendon Hess (M), Aidan Neibert (F), Sam Sly (M); sophomores Christian Guterriez (FB), Caleb Hammitt (M), Brayden McQuillen (GK/M)

Promising newcomers — Senior Sabbath Schmucker (M); freshmen Hudson Endslow (FB), Dylan Hammitt (M)

Letter winners lost — Three

Team differences between this season and last — “Our personnel this year will allow us to give greater emphasis to a few things tactically but may limit us a bit initially in other areas. We continue to work on being more diverse offensively while at the same time giving new players time to settle into more defensive roles.” - Seaman

Team strengths — “While we are a relatively small squad, the commitment of the vast majority of our players is thrilling to our coaching staff. The contributions of last year's seniors, Jeremy Morris, Zander Noel and Ben Sanchez, will be greatly missed, but the returning players are maturing physically, technically and tactically. We expect them to compete with the best that we face. The support our players get from their families, Loudonville High School, the athletic department and the school booster club is exceptional and a huge bonus to our team.” - Seaman

Team weaknesses — “We'll do the best we can to hide our weaknesses.” - Seaman

League prediction — “Central Christian should field another strong team and continue to be a perennial power in area boys soccer. We expect Mansfield Christian to be a very athletic and seasoned team. St. Peter's can be a bit of a mystery, but we found them to be a very competitive opponent last season. We hope to improve on last year's third-place finish in the [Mid-Buckeye Conference].”

LOUDONVILLE GIRLS

Coach — Laurie Weber (12th year, 103-86-12)

Last year's record — 13-7, 5-3

Returning letter winners — Seniors Brynn Bailey (D), Mackenzie Haun (F), Sydney Polen (M), Jackie Renner (GK/W), Anna Templeman (M); juniors Emma Carney (M), Taylor Eades (M), Grace Fogle (D), Liberty Gerhart (D/W), Emma Templeman (D); sophomores Jael McFadden (W), Maddie Osborne (W)

Promising newcomers — Freshmen Emlyn Bitner (D/W), Maggie England (D), Addison Lowe (M/W), Eliada McFadden (W), Jillian Nicholson (F), Ana Zeigler (F)

Letter winners lost — One

Team differences between this season and last — “This year, we will have five seniors on the team. I feel our seniors are good leaders on and off the field. Having five of them will make us more united and more determined to be successful.” - Weber

Team strengths — “I feel that this year’s team strength is chemistry. You can do a lot as a team when you work for one another.” - Weber

League prediction — “In [the Mid-Buckeye Conference], I feel like it is hard to predict who the top team will be, but I definitely feel that we will be competing for that top spot.” - Weber

NORTHWESTERN GIRLS

Coach — Bryan Schaaf (15th year, 128-88-33)

Last year's record and league finish — 13-5-2, 8-3-1 (third in WCAL)

Returning letter winners — Seniors Florida Blake (F), AJ Smith (GK), Sammy Yates (D), Maddie Jester (D), Maddie Gray (D), Tallia Thompson (M), Carissa Brinker (F); junior Bri Lance (D); sophomores Sydney McConahay (M), Alysa Troyan (F), Jailynn Woodruff (F)

Promising newcomers — Senior Mariah Thompson (F); junior Hattie Sciortino (F); sophomores Taelyn Lambert (M), Emily Thompson (D), Gabby Ream; freshmen Mia Rosales, Savannah McConahay (M), Coralynn Hall (F)

Letter winners lost — 13

Team differences between this season and last — “After 15 years, one would think that you’ve experienced it all, but this fall is like one we’ve not ever had before. My roster turnover from last season is as significant as it’s ever been. Our losses through graduation and other reasons are pretty substantial, but we are blessed to return a solid core of performers from our district finalist team of a year ago. In short, our numbers are incredibly thin, but there is quality to build around.” - Schaff

Team strengths — “Certainly returning Florida Blake and AJ Smith as bookends to our group helps tremendously. Both had historic years as juniors — Florida on the attacking end (21 goals, 19 assists) and AJ in goal (10 shutouts) — and we will do our best to build a structure that maximizes their abilities sooner than later.” - Schaff

Team weaknesses — “Depth is huge. With only 18 active and healthy athletes, we will be approaching the season walking a bit of a tight rope. Injuries will happen, and how quickly we can adjust and advance remains a bit of a question mark. There is a lot of talent in our group, but maintaining our health will be paramount.”- Schaff

League prediction — “The Wayne County Athletic League is one of, if not the, most difficult small school conference in Ohio. Our goal is to remain in the conversation for a league title right to the end.” - Schaff

NOTE: No information was submitted for the Northwestern boys and Mapleton girls teams.

This article originally appeared on Ashland Times Gazette: Season previews of local high school boys and girls soccer teams