The Orange Boys Soccer team enters the 2026 season with an interesting combination of youth and experience, and sixth-year head coach Stevan Bjelicic believes the Lions have enough returning talent to make a significant jump.
Coming off a 5-10-2 campaign in 2025, Orange brings back nine starters along with 14 additional letterwinners. That gives Bjelicic a sizable group of players who understand what varsity soccer demands, even though several of the Lions’ key contributors are still underclassmen.
“We see a young but experienced team, looking to compete for the CVC title and make a deep postseason run,” Bjelicic said.
With experience returning throughout the formation and several players who earned All-CVC recognition last season, Orange has reason to believe it can turn last year’s growing pains into victories this fall.
- More From OhioVarsity.com: 2026 CVC Boys Soccer Preview
Lions Look to Replace Leadership in the Midfield
Orange’s biggest losses from last season came in the midfield, where the Lions graduated two key players.
Rather than completely rebuilding that area of the field, Bjelicic is counting on his returning players to assume larger responsibilities, both tactically and as leaders.
Senior Cooper Kardamis figures prominently in that transition. A returning starter who earned second-team All-CVC honors last season, Kardamis provides Orange with an experienced presence in the middle of the field.
He’ll be joined by sophomores Kaden Daoudi and Naren Bhatnagar, both of whom return after starting as freshmen.
That experience should give the Lions a strong foundation as they attempt to control games through their midfield.
Novak Leads Experienced Orange Attack
Junior forward Evan Novak headlines the returning players in Orange’s attack.
Novak was a second-team All-CVC selection as a sophomore and returns as one of the Lions’ most accomplished players.
He’ll have plenty of experience around him.
Senior Miguel Gautier-Franco also returns to the front line after starting last season, while Salvador Navarrete De Arbeloa gives the Lions another returning starter in the attack.
With multiple experienced options up front and in the midfield, Orange wants to be a team that controls the ball rather than constantly reacting to its opponents.
Bjelicic said possession will be an important part of maximizing his team’s strengths while protecting it from difficult situations.
“We will minimize our weaknesses by trying to keep possession most of the game,” he said.
Newman and Rowe Anchor the Defense
Orange also returns important experience on the defensive end.
Senior Charlie Newman is back after earning honorable mention All-CVC recognition last season. Newman gives the Lions another veteran returning starter and should be an important part of the leadership Bjelicic expects to drive the team.
Sophomores Rory Russo and Xavier Gentsch also provide young options on the back line.
Behind them, sophomore goalkeeper Iain Rowe returns after starting and earning honorable mention All-CVC honors as a freshman.
Having an experienced keeper despite Rowe’s youth could prove particularly valuable for an Orange team with championship aspirations.
Orange Wants to Dictate Games
For Bjelicic, Orange’s success won’t simply depend on how much talent the Lions return.
They’ll have to determine how games are played.
“We have to dictate the pace of play and make sure we are ready to go for 80 minutes a game,” Bjelicic said.
That means maintaining possession, playing cohesively and relying on the team’s veteran players to establish the standard.
“Rely on the leaders of the team to make sure everyone is ready to go and make sure we are gelling on the field,” Bjelicic said.
Orange’s roster provides an intriguing foundation. Novak and Kardamis already have second-team All-CVC honors on their résumés, while Newman and Rowe were honorable mention selections. Gautier-Franco, Navarrete De Arbeloa, Daoudi and Bhatnagar add even more returning starting experience.
The Lions also have Russo and Gentsch among a deep collection of returning players pushing for larger roles.
After taking its lumps during a 5-10-2 season, Orange won’t lack varsity experience in 2026.
Now the challenge is turning that experience into consistency.
If the Lions can control possession, replace the leadership they lost in the midfield, and maintain the level of play Bjelicic wants for a full 80 minutes, Orange believes it can contend for a CVC championship and remain on the field deep into the postseason.
More Boys Soccer Coverage From OhioVarsity.com
2026-2027 Orange Lions Boys Soccer Schedule
Date Opponent Result Time Location Aug. 14, 2026
Friday
SolonL 0-4 7:00 PM Orange High School Aug. 18, 2026
TuesdayT 0-0 7:30 PM Kenston Bomber Stadium Aug. 20, 2026
Thursday
HowlandW 2-0 7:00 PM Orange High School Aug. 22, 2026
Saturday
Tallmadge2:00 PM Orange High School Aug. 25, 2026
TuesdayW 3-2 7:00 PM Chardon Aug. 27, 2026
Thursday
Rocky RiverL 1-7 5:00 PM Orange High School Sep. 1, 2026
Tuesday
Hawken HawksL 0-1 7:00 PM Orange Sep. 3, 2026
Thursday7:00 PM Orange High School Watch Sep. 8, 2026
TuesdayW 1-0 7:00 PM South Sep. 15, 2026
TuesdayW 5-1 7:00 PM Orange Watch Sep. 17, 2026
ThursdayL 0-3 5:00 PM Orange High School Watch Sep. 22, 2026
TuesdayW 2-0 7:00 PM Orange Watch Sep. 23, 2026
WednesdayL 1-2 7:30 PM Lutheran West Oct. 1, 2026
ThursdayW 1-0 7:00 PM Orange Oct. 6, 2026
TuesdayL 0-1 7:00 PM West Geauga Watch Oct. 8, 2026
ThursdayL 0-1 7:00 PM Orange High School Watch Oct. 10, 2026
Saturday
MidviewW 6-2 3:30 PM Orange High School Watch Oct. 15, 2026
ThursdayT 1-1 4:30 PM Orange Oct. 24, 2026
Saturday
GirardW 2-0 TBA Orange Oct. 29, 2026
ThursdayW 3-0 7:00 PM Orange Watch Oct. 31, 2026
SaturdayL 0-2 11:00 AM Orrville
Kenston Bombers
Chardon Hilltoppers
Mayfield Wildcats
Willoughby South Rebels
Perry Pirates
Chagrin Falls Tigers
Harvey Red Raiders
Lutheran West Longhorns
West Geauga Wolverines
Gilmour Academy Lancers
John Marshall
