TOP) Ada High School varsity soccer team, from left, front row: Timothy Chrissobolis, Andrew Allen, Jude Griffin, Wyatt Fisher, Chase Jarrett. Middle: Josh Thaxton, Logan Jolliff, Nathan Williams, Ty Mowery, Luke Archer, Jacob Henson. Back: assistant coach Bill Jolliff, goalie coach Thomas Baker, Daniel Klear, Connor McKean, Jacob Rush, Carson Conley, Evan Miller, Bradyn Bowen, assistant coach Ezra Dietering, head coach Aaron Acheson.
BELOW) Returning Ada boys soccer lettermen, from left, front: Joshua Thaxton, Andrew Allen, Evan Miller, Jude Griffin. Back: Jacob Rush, Logan Jolliff, Nathan Williams, Ty Mowery, Jacob Henson.
By Cort Reynolds
The 2024 Ada High School boys soccer team has a new head coach for the first time in a decade in upbeat Bulldog alumnus Aaron Acheson.
Acheson brings a lot of energy and positivity to the program in his first high school job. But he has coached quite a bit of youth and travel soccer.
“We are very excited and looking forward to winning on and off the field, developing character and being selfless,” Acheson offered. “We want to create a winning culture.”
After a solid start last season, six straight ties and a long winless drought led to a disappointing 4-8-6 overall record.
The Bulldogs finished 0-3-3 in their final Northwest Conference season, and went 0-4-1 in the always-tough North Central Ohio Soccer Association.
After winning a 2-1 sectional semi thriller over Pemberville Eastwood, the Ada boys lost to top seed Liberty-Benton 10-2 in the Div. III sectional finals.
The speedy Bulldogs are still tweaking and experimenting with formations in pre-season. “As a whole our team is very fast and very good at passing,” said Acheson. “Whatever formations we use, we want to take advantage of those strengths and our scoring ability up front.”
High-scoring Bulldog senior forward Logan Jolliff was named first team all-league last year in two conferences. The speedy forward was the second-leading vote-getter on the All-NWC squad.
Jolliff also repeated as a first team All-North Central Ohio Soccer Association selection.
“Logan has elite speed and tremendous on-ball ability,” said Acheson. “He is very explosive and dynamic with a high soccer IQ. He sees the field well and is a great passer.”
Heady senior midfielder Nathan Williams also was voted first team All-NWC. He is one of the team’s top ball distributors, scorers and passers.
Williams made second team All-NCOSA last fall. His penalty kick goal late in the Eastwood tournament game gave Ada the win in last year’s first round.
“Nathan has a very powerful left foot and can score from distance,” said Acheson. “He is very accurate.”
Standout sophomore goalkeeper Jacob Rush was named honorable mention all-league last year as a freshman. His play will be a key pillar in the team’s defensive scheme.
“Jacob is a natural leader who directs traffic and helps his defenders out vocally,” said the coach. “His game is evolving, he has soft hands and great shot-saving ability. He is also a great passer and probably is our third-best penalty-kick taker.
“He has good technical skills and a lot of experience,” the coach continued. “Jacob is all soccer all the time, he loves soccer.”
Quick and aggressive sophomore forward Andrew Allen is back to lend explosive offensive ability and a relentless, attacking mindset.
“He will definitely provide us with offensive punch,” said Acheson. “He has great on-ball ability and good one v. one moves. He is a good passer who reads the pitch well and can score.”
The new coach noted that the solid Bulldog midfield unit runs seven to eight deep with talent.
Junior Evan Miller, sophomore Carson Conley, junior Joshua Thaxton and senior newcomer from football Max Puerto are four of the top mids. “Max has good soccer skills and good touch,” noted the coach.
Sophomores Tim Chrissobolis and Chase Jarrett lend quality depth to the midfield corps.
As for the defense, lettermen junior Jude Griffin and senior Ty Mowery provide “great speed and aggressive play” at the center-back position. “They both play the long balls well,” said the coach.
Promising freshman Daniel Klear has a “strong leg and plays physical,” noted Acheson.
Junior Jacob Henson is a speedy left outside back. “He is fast and has good awareness and anticipation,” observed Acheson. “He gets a good read and jump on balls.”
Sophomore Bradyn Bowen will hold down the right outside back position. “He has good instincts and reads the field well,” said Acheson. “He is always in the right spot, has good touch and is a good passer.”
Sophomore Wyatt Fisher returns as a defender and is expected to contribute in a key reserve role. “Wyatt is a strong, physical player,” said the coach.
Senior defender Luke Archer and sophomore defender Connor McKean round out the 18-player roster.
“Every player is a significant contributor,” Acheson summed up. “We want to create a lot of positivity and a mindset of servant leadership. It might take a little while to get our philosophy ingrained.
“I am really excited about our on-ball play and movement, our passing and scoring balance in our scrimmages,” he enthused.
The new mentor says the team goal is to have a winning season on the field and off the pitch. "We want to build character, play well and have academic development," he noted. "I want to be a purpose-based coach. Details matter.”
Team speed is a strength, as are passing and their returning offensive punch. Goalkeeping also looks strong.
"We have really good team speed,” said Acheson. “We have good young talent and a lot of offense back. We are a very good passing team.”
A total of 27 players comprise the varsity and JV rosters. Ada has nine freshmen, nine sophomores, four juniors and five seniors in the program. The Bulldog JV also has 14 games scheduled. “We are excited about our young talent,” Acheson noted.
Ada starts its season August 17 at home vs. Tiffin Columbian. The Bulldogs host backyard rival Allen East August 24. The first five varsity matches are at home, with the NCOSA lidlifter September 5 at Van Buren.
A potentially key league showdown at defending champion Liberty-Benton looms Sept. 19.
L-B won the 2023 NCOSA title at 4-0-1, followed by Van Buren (4-1), Cory-Rawson (1-2-2), Riverdale (1-3-1) and the Bulldogs. Ada handed the champion Eagles a road tie for the only Eagle non-win in league play, which shows their potential.
"I am not sure where Ada fits in the NCOSA race," said the coach. “We want to continue building on player strengths, the tactical and technical aspects of soccer.
“We have a lot of returning talent at all positions and good incoming new talent as well,” Acheson said.
If Ada stays healthy the Bulldog boys could see a major turnaround behind the energetic, positive Acheson and their returning offensive skill, defenders and goalkeeping.
Ada boys soccer 2024 at a glance
2023 record: 4-8-6 overall, 0-3-3 NWC, 0-4-1 NCOSA
Head coach: Aaron Acheson, 1st year
Starters back/lost: 5/6
Lettermen back: 9/9
Top returnees: Sr. F Logan Jolliff, Sr. MF/F Nathan Williams, Sr. D Ty Mowery, Jr. D Jude Griffin, Jr. CB Jacob Henson, Jr. D Evan Miller, Jr. MF Josh Thaxton, So. GK Jacob Rush, So. F Andrew Allen, So. D Bradyn Bowen.
Top newcomers: Fr. D Daniel Klear, Sr. MF Max Puerto.
