By Cort Reynolds
The 2022 Ada High School boys soccer team returns nine starters and 14 lettermen, including their top two goal scorers, which could lead to a successful fall campaign.
Last year's squad finished 7-8-3 overall and 1-2-1 in the Northwest Conference, good for fourth place in the league.
The purple and gold kickers also ended up fifth in the tough North Central Ohio Soccer Association with a 1-4 mark.
The 2022 Bulldogs will operate out of a 4-1-3-2 formation.
Ninth-year Ada head coach Jason Okuly is cautiously optimistic that this year's Bulldog squad might be able to give perennial NWC champion Bluffton a run for its money.
"I would like to challenge them this year and finish at least second in the NWC," Okuly said.
Leading Ada toward that goal, high-scoring senior forward Carter Conley and classmate midfielder Brendan Jameson return as second team All-Northwest Conference picks.
Senior defender Ethan Murphy and speedy sophomore scoring ace Logan Jolliff also return as honorable mention All-NWC selections. Jameson, Conley and Murphy each earned honorable mention All-NCOSA notice in 2021.
First team All-NWC/second team All-NCOSA honorees Isaac Williams and Tyler Jameson graduated, and are the only two starters not back for this experienced and deep, 25-player squad.
Jameson, Conley, Murphy and Drew Long will serve as team captains. "Brendan and Drew are vocal leaders," said Okuly. "Carter and Logan are our two top scorers up front, I look for them to have good years offensively."
Conley and Murphy also lend great height and solid athleticism to the team, which helps on headers and contending for free balls.
Sophomore Nathan Williams is expected to play a key role at center midfield. "I am hoping Nathan has a heck of a year," said Okuly. "He is our main ball-distribution guy. Junior Drew Long (MF) and junior Carson Gossard (MF/GK) are also key at midfield."
The Bulldogs return third-year starter Brayden Hunsiker to the backline to provide the backbone of the defense, along with Murphy.
Senior Noah Huff, junior Matthew Frazier and junior Clayton McClain also return as key letterman defenders.
"I am feeling pretty confident, we have some pretty young guys back there on defense, too," said Okuly.
Athletic junior Colton Long is back for his second full season as the starting goalkeeper. Gossard will also serve as backup keeper.
"Colton is a good athlete and brings good decision-making skills to the position," said Okuly. "He makes a lot of good diving stops.”
Several other veteran lettermen will contribute. Junior Mason Selover (D), junior Jesse Okuly (MF) and senior Dillon Hartman (D) return to play key minutes.
Athletic senior newcomer Jaden Leal could help as a midfielder. He possesses good speed and solid athletic ability.
Rounding out the 25-man roster are junior Gabe Blankenship (MF), sophomores Ty Mowery (MF) and Luke Archer (D), and freshmen Jacob Henson (MF/F), Justin Bowden (D), Jude Griffin (D), Josh Thaxton (MF), Evan Miller (F) and Brayden Downing (D).
Okuly says a major team strength is its speed. "This is one of the faster teams I have had," he noted. "We have some quick freshmen and some fast defenders.
"Logan is very fast, Brendan is quick, Brayden Hunsiker is fast. Freshman Jude Griffin will be a good one to watch in back. I am very pleased with our (six) freshmen.
"Our communication is also very good," he continued. "We also have a lot of experience with nine starters back. Some are playing different positions, but their experience is definitely a bonus."
The coach says "backline defense is always a concern, especially after losing Tyler Jameson as a leader back there."
In the NWC race, six-time defending champion Bluffton is the odds-on favorite to repeat once again.
The Pirates are 35-0-0 all-time in NWC play since boys soccer became a league sport in 2015. "Bluffton is the favorite as always," Okuly noted.
Ada visits the rival Pirates September 26 in what could be a showdown for first place. The league home opener is August 29 vs. backyard foe Allen East.
"I really couldn't tell you what to expect in the NCOSA race," Okuly said. "Riverdale and Van Buren are always tough. I'd like to finish in the middle of the pack."
In the always-tough North Central Ohio Soccer Association league, Van Buren (5-0) is the defending champion.
Former Bulldog soccer player Jacob Okuly returns as an assistant in 2022.
"Our goals are just to stay healthy and keep improving," Okuly offered.
Ada tied Bath 3-3 in the home and season opener August 17.
The Bulldogs fell to Cory-Rawson in second round tournament play last fall. But with its returning offensive punch, speed and experience, if Ada stays healthy they could make a solid tournament run as well.
AT A GLANCE
2020 record: 7-8-3, 1-2-1 NWC (4th/6), 1-4 NCOSA (5th/6)
Head coach: Jason Okuly, 9th year
Formation: 4-1-3-2
Starters back/lost: 9/2
Lettermen back: 14
Top returnees: Sr. MF Brendan Jameson, Sr. D Ethan Murphy, Sr. F Carter Conley, Jr. GK Colton Long, Jr. MF Drew Long, Jr. D Braiden Hunsiker, So. F Logan Jolliff, So. MF/F Nathan Williams.
Top newcomer: Fr. D Jude Griffin.
TEAM PHOTO
The Ada varsity boys soccer team, from left, front: Brendan Jameson, Carter Conley, Ethan Murphy, Jaden Leal, Noah Huff, Dillon Hartman.
Second row: Drew Long, Gabe Blankenship, Carson Gossard, Colton Long, Jacob Henson, Josh Thaxton.
Third row: Jude Griffin, Clsyton McClain, Logan Jolliff, Nathan Williams, Ty Mowery, Brayden Downing.
Back: head coach Jason Okuly, Matthew Frazier, Justin Bowden, Brayden Hunsiker, Jesse Okuly, Mason Selover, Luke Archer.
Not pictured: Evan Miller.
RETURNING LETTERMEN PHOTO
Returning Ada boys soccer lettermen, from left, front: Ethan Murphy, Carter Conley, Brendan Jameson, Noah Huff, Dillon Hartman.
Middle: Carson Gossard, Drew Long, Clayton McClain, Colton Long, Logan Jolliff.
Back: Mason Selover, Matthew Frazier, Brayden Hunsiker, Nathan Williams.
