Regardless of what happens during the 2019 season, the Chagrin Falls boys’ soccer team will have a lot to celebrate. The defending Chagrin Valley Conference Chagrin Division champion Tigers will play their 50th season of soccer this fall.
Despite suiting up a much younger roster than in the past, the Tigers have plenty of talent and promise.
“After graduating 14 seniors, we will have a young squad heading into the 50th season of boys soccer at Chagrin Falls,” third-year coach Brian McKenna said. “Although there will not be a senior in the starting lineup, the players are adjusting well to stepping up in starting roles.”
The Tigers finished 15-3-1 overall and 5-0-1 in league play last fall.
Once again, the team will feature a stingy defense.
“We feel the defense has already started to look to be the strength of the team,” McKenna said. “We have a schedule that should provide us with several challenges along the way. We are seeking another CVC title and hoping for a deep run in the playoffs.”
Junior defender JT Marting returns as the only player that earned post-season honors last season. Marting scored two goals and two assists on the way to being named honorable mention All-Greater Cleveland.
Others projected in the starting lineup include juniors Ben Tinsley (goal keeper), Jack Stauffer (forward), Ellis Clark, Zach Lechman, Ian Zitney and Brenden Levey (midfielders), John Ranieri and Alex Fisher (defenders), sophomore Lance Buescher (forward) and freshman Andrew Nachtwey (defender).
Clark finished the 2018 season with three assists.
