By Cort Reynolds
The 2023 Ada High School boys soccer team returns eight starters and 11 lettermen for a potentially explosive offense and a promising fall campaign.
Last year's squad finished 7-7-4 overall and 1-2-1 in the Northwest Conference, good for a third-place tie in the league with Lincolnview. Bluffton repeated again as NWC champs at 4-0 and has never lost a league match.
“Last year was pretty decent but we hoped for a better finish,” said 10th-year Ada head coach Jason Okuly.
The purple and gold kickers also ended up 0-4-1 in the tough North Central Ohio Soccer Association.
The speedy 2023 Bulldogs will again attack out of a 4-1-3-2 formation.
“Possessing the ball is the key this year,” Okuly offered. “We can’t just play through balls to our speed guys. We can’t rely on that for offense.
“All 18 of our guys will see plenty of playing time,” he added.
Okuly feels the team has the skill to distribute the ball well and finish.
Ada lost all-league scorer Carter Conley, ace midfielder Brendan Jameson and athletic Ethan Murphy to graduation. But the Bulldogs return some key players up front and a promising freshman to pace what could be a potent offense.
Speedy junior scoring ace Logan Jolliff returns as a second team All NCOSA/All-NWC selection to spearhead the offense. The powerful sprinter has an attacking mindset, shifty feet and excellent speed, as well as an ability to finish with either foot.
Junior Nathan Williams is an experienced and skilled passer out of center midfield. He made honorable mention all-league last fall.
“Nate is our best passer and sees the field well," said Okuly. "He is our main ball-distribution guy. He is bigger and stronger this year, too.”
Tall senior forward Carson Gossard will also play a big role passing and scoring. He has a nose for the net, and also has some experience as a goalkeeper.
“Carson got a lot of back-post goals by crashing last year,” Okuly noted.
Aggressive senior Clayton McClain will roam the midfield and blend physicality with ability. He is the team’s top sideline throw-in passer and has the power to make key long, penetrating feeds.
“Clayton is quite the animal back in the middle,” said Okuly. “He is very physical and fit, and we are counting on him a lot.”
Williams, senior Drew Long, Gabe Blankenship, senior Jesse Okuly and senior Colton Long will also man an experienced and talented midfield.
Colton Long had served as team goalkeeper the past 2.5 seasons.
This season, freshman Jacob Rush inherits the key starting goalkeeper position. “I have a lot of confidence in Jacob,” said Okuly. “I have never had a freshman as soccer-smart as him. He has played a lot of club ball.”
The Bulldogs return third-year starter Brayden Hunsiker to the backline to provide the backbone of the defense. He was honorable mention All-NCOSA last fall.
Returning lettermen junior Ty Mowery, senior Mason Selover and sophomore Jude Griffin also help man a solid backline.
Senior defender Matthew Frazier is another experienced returnee on the backline. Sophomores Jacob Henson and Evan Miller will lend quality depth to the defense.
Speedy sparkplug freshman Andrew Allen is expected to inject a lot of offense into the explosive frontline. Along with Jolliff, Williams and Gossard, he helps form a potent offensive quartet.
Rounding out the roster is sophomore forward Josh Thaxton.
Okuly says the team goals are mainly intangible in nature. "We want to stay positive and work together," he noted. "We want improved communication and improved confidence.”
Team speed is a strength, and the squad looks to be more physical.
"Logan is very fast, Brayden Hunsiker is fast. Allen and Griffin have speed.”
In the NWC race, seven-time defending champion Bluffton is the odds-on favorite to repeat once again. The Pirates did lose some key players from last year’s district finalist squad, but typically reload instead of rebuild.
The Pirates are 41-0-0 all-time in NWC play since boys soccer became a league sport in 2015. "Bluffton is historically tough," Okuly noted. “They have not lost a league game ever, so far.
“We are hoping to challenge Bluffton. Our worst loss was to Spencerville but they lost their top two players,” he added.
Ada hosts the rival Pirates September 25 in what could be a key league showdown. The NWC opener is August 28 at backyard foe Allen East.
Liberty-Benton won the rugged NCOSA title at 4-0-1 last fall.
"Liberty-Benton is always the favorite in the NCOSA race," Okuly said. "Van Buren and Upper Sandusky are solid. It looks like a pretty even playing field, besides Liberty.”
Ada dominated visiting Lima Temple Christian 5-0 in the earliest season opener in program history August 11 under the lights. Jolliff and Allen netted two goals apiece and the defense recorded a shutout.
The Bulldogs visit Bath Wednesday, Aug. 16 and journey to Tiffin Columbian Saturday.
If Ada stays healthy they could make a tournament run and be a dark horse NWC contender.
Ada boys soccer 2023 at a glance
2022 record: 7-7-4, 1-2-1 NWC (3rd/5), 0—4-1 NCOSA (5th/6)
Head coach: Jason Okuly, 10th year
Formation: 4-1-3-2
Starters back/lost: 8/3
Lettermen back: 11/4
Top returnees: Sr. Colton Long, Sr. MF Drew Long, Sr. D Brayden Hunsiker, Sr. F Carson Gossard, Jr. F Logan Jolliff, Jr. MF/F Nathan Williams, So. D Jude Griffin.
Top newcomers: Fr. GK Jacob Rush, Fr. F Andrew Allen.
TOP PHOTO
Ada varsity/JV boys soccer: L-R front) Jesse Okuly, Gabe Blankenship, Clayton McClain, Colton Long, Drew Long. Row 2) Loan Jolliff, Nathan Williams, Mason Selover, Matthew Frazier, Carson Gossard, Brayden Hunsiker, Chase Jarrett, Brayden Bowen. Row 3) Chase Jarrett, Albert Lytle, Jacob Henson, Josh Thaxton, Andrew Allen, Fisher Wyatt, Timothy Chrissobolis. Back) Assistant Coach William Jolliff, Jacob Rush, Carson Conley, Neilan Boulanger, Ty Mowery, Evan Miller, Jude Griffin, Assistant Jacob Okuly, Head Coach Jason Okuly. PHOTO by Cort Reynolds
