After knocking on the door of a district championship a season ago, the Kirtland Boys Soccer team enters 2026 believing another postseason run is well within reach.
The Hornets finished 9-7-3 overall, posted a 3-2 record in the Chagrin Valley Conference Valley Division, and advanced to the district final before seeing their season come to an end. Now, longtime head coach John Valentic begins his 29th season with a roster that returns seven starters, four additional letterwinners, and one of Northeast Ohio’s premier goalkeepers.
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While Kirtland must replace key graduates and integrate a new wave of contributors, the Hornets possess the kind of veteran leadership and attacking talent capable of making another deep tournament push.
“I’m always optimistic about a new season,” Valentic said. “The goal is to compete with every team we play, to play good soccer, and to enjoy and celebrate the game. If we are focused and intentional with all that we do, I think we have the potential to return to the district final again this year.”
Firepower Returns Up Front
Few teams in the area can match Kirtland’s returning offensive production.
Junior Marko Valentic headlines the attack after totaling 14 goals and seven assists for 35 points while earning First Team All-Greater Cleveland and First Team All-CVC honors. Valentic’s ability to finish with either foot and create chances from anywhere on the field makes him one of the conference’s most dangerous forwards.
Coach Valentic describes him as “dangerous, versatile, hard-working,” adding that he “can shoot with either foot.”
Running alongside him is another dynamic playmaker in junior Bram Crisci, who produced 12 goals and nine assists (33 points) last season. A First Team All-Greater Cleveland selection and Second Team All-CVC honoree, Crisci’s relentless work rate allows him to impact games from multiple positions.
Valentic calls him a “box-to-box energy that makes things happen,” noting he can also slide into a forward role when needed.
Senior Karlo Cubela provides creativity from the attacking midfield after recording six goals and 11 assists. An Honorable Mention All-Greater Cleveland performer, Cubela’s vision and unselfishness have made him one of Kirtland’s primary playmakers, and the coaching staff hopes to see him become even more aggressive in front of goal this fall.
Veteran Leadership Through the Spine
The Hornets are equally experienced in the middle of the field.
Senior captain Noah Zielaskiewicz returns as the team’s defensive midfielder after contributing three assists while handling much of the work that rarely appears in the box score. His ability to win possession, cover ground and initiate the attack gives Kirtland stability every time it steps onto the field.
Defensively, senior Frankie Rodin is expected to play a much larger role after injuries limited him last season. His physical defending, strong tackling and understanding of the game should anchor the Hornets’ back line.
Junior David Blankenship brings toughness and consistency to the outside. After scoring one goal last season, he’ll look to expand his offensive contributions while continuing to frustrate opposing attackers in one-on-one situations.
Confidence Begins in Goal
Every successful team needs a foundation, and Kirtland has one of the area’s best.
Senior goalkeeper Tage Crisci returns after earning All-Ohio, First Team All-Greater Cleveland, and First Team All-CVC honors. He posted five shutouts, 82 saves, and a 1.79 goals-against average, providing the Hornets with elite shot-stopping and outstanding distribution from the back.
“When you have an All-Ohio goalkeeper returning for his senior season, the team is automatically confident and relaxed,” Valentic said. “Good with his feet, excellent reactions, excellent shot stopper.”
His presence gives Kirtland a chance to stay in every match regardless of the opponent.
Developing the Next Wave
Although the Hornets return plenty of proven talent, Valentic knows the season may ultimately be determined by players who have yet to establish themselves at the varsity level.
“The unknown for us is how some of the younger players and reserves will perform when given the opportunity,” he said. “One of the keys to a successful season is the depth of your roster and the impact those reserves can make upon entering the game.”
Successfully blending those newcomers into an experienced lineup remains one of the program’s biggest priorities.
“Besides staying healthy, we need to incorporate the new players into the varsity team in a way that helps their development as well as the team’s progress,” Valentic said. “The younger, less experienced players need to find their way and believe that they can and will contribute to the team’s success.”
Culture Remains the Standard
For nearly three decades, Kirtland’s identity has been built around consistency, preparation and culture. That philosophy hasn’t changed entering 2026.
“We will continue to focus on our identity and culture,” Valentic said. “Standards and expectations are set at training. If we can uphold those, then the games will take care of themselves and so too will the areas in which we need to improve.”
With a proven core, experienced leadership throughout the lineup and one of Ohio’s top goalkeepers protecting the net, Kirtland has every reason to believe another district championship chase is within reach. If the Hornets successfully develop their younger contributors, they have the pieces to contend with anyone on their schedule.
