After struggling through the past two seasons, Cuyahoga Heights’ young soccer team has matured and is eager for the start of the 2024 season.
The Red Wolves return seven starters and three all-Chagrin Valley Conference performers from last year’s squad.
“The past two years have been youth in bulk,” said sixth-year Cuyahoga Heights coach Matt Natal. “Now, the youngsters are upperclassmen. We hope to use past years’ letdowns as motivation to push on this year and snag some results.”
Cuyahoga Heights graduated several leaders, both on and off the field, and Natal is looking for someone on the squad to step into the leadership role.
If those leaders identify themselves, the Red Wolves will be better positioned to compete this season.
Last fall, Cuyahoga Heights struggled to find their groove early in games. That’s something Natal hopes to avoid this season.
“Be competitive and do not start sluggish,” he said of his team’s keys to victory. “If we start fast or control other teams from starting fast, we will be in most of the games for the remaining 60-odd minutes.”
Among Cuyahoga Heights’ returning starters are three players who earned All-CVC honors.
Junior midfielder Bryce Rusch and junior keeper Antonio McCladdie both earned second-team honors while senior forward Logan Apathy was an honorable mention selection.
Rush scored six goals with one assist on his way to earning honorable mention All-Greater Cleveland honors.
“Bryce will be a handful in the middle and pushing forward,” Natal said. “Bryce is smart with and without the ball. He can find his teammates and find pockets to run into.”
McCladdie, a first-team All-Greater Cleveland selection, recorded 125 saves and allowed 49 goals as a sophomore.
“Toni is an exciting young talent,” Natal said. “His first full year did not disappoint. Now entering his second full season as a starter, he looks to improve on an already impressive resume. He has been working on his craft and will only improve.”
Apathy scored one goal and added three assists on his way to also earning All-Greater Cleveland honorable mention honors.
“Logan is going to step into a senior role as a leader and step into a role of goal scorer and assist leader,” Natal said.
Senior Brody Boyert, a Holy Name transfer, will join Apathy up top.
“Brody is an athlete and will be used in many different ways to help us win games,” Natal said.
Senior Nick Dabrowski and junior Marco Chieffallo are returning starters in the midfield.
“Nick may not be the top goal scorer, but he is vital to the game in many ways. He keeps the midfield held down and controls our offense from the middle,” Natal said. “Marco is a magician on the ball. Marco is another player who can be a handful and have a breakout year.”
Cuyahoga Heights has a solid core of veteran players, but Natal also is excited about the depth he’ll have at his disposal.
“We will use our bench in bulk,” he said. “Depth is something we have, and we will use that to protect leads and bring on fresh legs to get back.”
Cuyahoga Heights opens the season at Open Door Christian on Aug. 19.
