The foundation has been laid. Now it’s time for the next step.
After guiding West Geauga Boys Soccer through his first season as head coach, Andrew Straight believes the Wolverines have the experience, chemistry and talent to make significant progress in 2026.
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West Geauga finished 6-10-2 overall and 3-2 in conference play a year ago before suffering a heartbreaking first-round tournament loss to Willoughby South in penalty kicks. While the season ended sooner than the Wolverines had hoped, the experience gained throughout the year has Straight excited about what lies ahead.
“Our team has a lot of potential in the 2026 season,” Straight said. “We return a lot of starters and players with multiple years of varsity experience. We also have two kids transfer into the district that will be varsity contributors this season!”
The Wolverines return seven starters from last year’s squad, giving Straight an experienced nucleus entering his second season.
Replacing Leadership Won’t Be Easy
The biggest challenge facing West Geauga won’t be replacing players—it will be replacing leaders.
The Wolverines graduated leading scorer Ben Mackin, goalkeeper Mason Mobley and central midfielder Roddy Semrad, all three of whom served as captains and started every match last season. West Geauga also lost two senior reserves who provided valuable leadership off the bench.
“We are losing three key players from last year’s roster and two other senior contributors,” Straight said. “Our top goal scorer, Ben Mackin, our goalkeeper Mason Mobley, and starting center mid Roddy Semrad. All three were captains last season and started every game for us. The other two seniors came off the bench and provided a lot of leadership to our younger guys.”
Finding new voices to lead the program will be just as important as replacing the production.
“To be successful this season, we need to find new leadership amongst the players and to be great on the defensive side of the ball,” Straight said. “We will also need to find ways to score, with losing Ben Mackin, who was our team’s leading scorer last year and someone we relied on to get a goal.”
Plenty of Firepower Returns Up Front
West Geauga returns several players capable of helping replace the scoring lost to graduation.
Junior Jordan Green is back after recording five goals and three assists while earning CVC honorable mention honors. A returning starter, Green’s speed and versatility make him a dangerous winger capable of stretching opposing defenses.
“Jordan is a very versatile winger who likes to get in behind the back line,” Straight said.
Sophomore Adrian Yutzy enjoyed a productive freshman season, finishing with two goals and six assists. His ability to create chances should make him an important piece of the Wolverines’ attack.
“Adrian is a technical winger who is great at beating his man and playing dangerous balls into the box,” Straight said.
West Geauga also received an offseason boost with the addition of sophomore transfer Drake Byran, who started at Gilmour Academy last season and finished with three goals and nine assists.
“We are very excited to have Drake at West Geauga,” Straight said. “He brings an edge to the team and is a very smart playmaker.”
Experienced Midfield Sets the Tone
The Wolverines’ greatest strength may be their midfield, where three experienced juniors return after playing major roles a year ago.
Evan Brencic earned CVC honorable mention honors after collecting two goals and four assists. A three-year starter, Brencic serves as West Geauga’s primary set-piece specialist.
“Evan is a technical midfielder who has a large range of passing and shooting abilities,” Straight said. “He is the guy who takes most of our free kicks and has started every game since freshman year.”
Alongside him is Jack Ackworth, who earned second-team All-CVC and Greater Cleveland honorable mention recognition.
“Jack has started varsity every game his high school career,” Straight said. “He played our holding mid role last year and was great in controlling tempo, winning duels and distributing the ball to teammates.”
Lukah Dasher rounds out the experienced group after earning Greater Cleveland honorable mention honors.
“Lukah is a great game controller and is relentless in the midfield,” Straight said. “He did a great job for us last year winning duels and finding outlets to teammates under pressure.”
Straight believes that veteran group will help West Geauga control possession throughout the season.
“We will maximize our team’s strengths and minimize our team’s weaknesses through solid teamwork and communication,” Straight said. “We have a lot of experience returning. We just need to buy in as a group and work for each other on the field.”
Defense Built Around Veteran Leaders
West Geauga also returns one of its most experienced defensive units in recent years.
Junior center back Quin Mancino has been a fixture in the lineup since his freshman season. He earned second-team All-CVC and Greater Cleveland honorable mention honors after helping anchor the defense.
“Quin is a standout center back who has played virtually every minute since his freshman year on the back line,” Straight said. “He is great at winning balls in the air and is a team leader both on and off the field.”
Senior Anderson Osolin provides another steady presence. A varsity starter since his freshman year, Osolin has developed into one of the Wolverines’ most dependable players.
“Anderson has been a varsity starter since freshman year,” Straight said. “Left-footed left back who is one of the team’s most consistent players. He is a leader both on and off the field and is one of the calmest and composed players we have.”
Replacing Mobley in goal will be junior Alen Kauzlaric, who steps into his first varsity season with high expectations.
“He has great size and shot-blocking abilities,” Straight said.
Outlook
Straight believes the Wolverines’ chemistry could become one of their biggest strengths this season. Many of the returning players have grown up playing together, giving West Geauga an advantage that extends beyond experience.
“I am really excited about this year’s team,” Straight said. “I also feel like I have taken a next step as a young coach and am looking forward to implementing what I have learned from year one and applying it this season. We have a tight group of guys who have been playing together since they were young kids who are all friends off the field. We are looking to bring an exciting, possession style of play to the season.”
If West Geauga develops new leaders, replaces the scoring lost to graduation and continues to defend at a high level, the Wolverines have the talent and experience to become one of the Chagrin Valley Conference‘s most improved teams in 2026.
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WEST GEAUGA WOLVERINES Boys Soccer
2026-2027 West Geauga Wolverines Boys Soccer Schedule
Date Opponent Result Time Location Aug. 14, 2026
FridayW 4-1 7:00 PM Spire Aug. 20, 2026
ThursdayW 5-2 7:00 PM Howell Field Aug. 22, 2026
SaturdayL 1-4 1:00 PM Rocky River High School Aug. 25, 2026
TuesdayW 3-1 7:00 PM Harvey Aug. 27, 2026
ThursdayL 0-3 6:15 PM Harris Stadium Sep. 3, 2026
Thursday7:00 PM Howell Field Watch Sep. 8, 2026
TuesdayW 8-2 6:00 PM Perry Watch Sep. 12, 2026
SaturdayT 2-2 5:00 PM Howell Field Watch Sep. 15, 2026
TuesdayW 3-1 7:00 PM West Geauga Watch Sep. 17, 2026
ThursdayW 7-3 7:00 PM Howell Field Watch Sep. 22, 2026
Tuesday
Hawken HawksL 1-4 7:00 PM West Geauga Watch Sep. 24, 2026
ThursdayL 2-3 7:00 PM Howell Field Watch Sep. 29, 2026
TuesdayT 1-1 7:00 PM South Oct. 3, 2026
SaturdayW 1-0 1:00 PM Weber Stadium Oct. 6, 2026
Tuesday
Orange LionsW 1-0 7:00 PM West Geauga Watch Oct. 10, 2026
SaturdayT 3-3 4:00 PM Carter Stadium Watch Oct. 13, 2026
TuesdayL 0-4 7:00 PM Howell Field Oct. 19, 2026
Monday
BuckeyeW 3-1 7:00 PM West Geauga Oct. 24, 2026
Saturday
CopleyL 0-3 7:00 PM West Geauga
Geneva Eagles
Mayfield Wildcats
Rocky River
Harvey Red Raiders
Chagrin Falls Tigers
Kirtland Hornets
Perry Pirates
Lake Catholic Cougars
Chardon Hilltoppers
Beachwood Bison
Aurora Greenmen
Willoughby South Rebels
Gilmour Academy Lancers
North Rangers
Kenston Bombers
