Kirtland’s district championship shootout loss to Beachwood last fall didn’t sit well with the Hornets.
With nine returning starters, the Hornets used that setback as motivation for the 2023 season.
“I’m always optimistic about a new season,” said 26th-year head coach John Valentic. “We only lost two starters and we return nine starters—seven seniors and two juniors–so we have the experience to compete with every team we play. I think we have the potential to return to the district final again this year.”
Valentic knows the key to his team making a deep postseason run is developing the younger players who will fill key roles throughout the season.
“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.”
The Hornets will again focus on jelling as a team and playing as one cohesive unit this fall.
“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.”
Leading the way for the Hornets this season are four returning All-Chagrin Valley Conference performers.
Junior forward Vince Carriero returns after scoring 10 goals with seven assists as a sophomore. He earned first-team All-CVC and second-team All-Greater Cleveland honors.
“Vince led the team in points last season,” Valentic said. “He’s a tricky, agile player who can play in multiple spots on the field.”
Kirtland’s midfield is loaded with all-conference performers in seniors Anand Sundararajan, Nickolas Barisic, and Vincent Vukovic.
Sundararajan scored six goals with 14 assists on his way to earning second-team all-conference and All-Greater Cleveland honors.
“A returning starter, he will have a big responsibility to continue facilitating play, setting up the forwards, and winning tackles in the midfield,” Valentic said. “He does the work that often goes unnoticed.”
Barisic was a first-team all-conference and All-Greater Cleveland selection after notching seven goals with three assists last season.
“A starter since his freshman year, he has moved from central defender into the holding midfield position,” Valentic said. “Already a proven ball winner, he has improved his passing and attacking ability and will anchor the midfield.”
Vukovic scored six goals with four assists on his way to honorable mention all-conference and All-Greater Cleveland honors.
“Vincent will be a four-year varsity player with tons of soccer savvy,” Valentic said. “He is excellent on set pieces and critical to our ability to possess and move the ball.”
Seniors Dan Bak and Jack Green anchor the Kirtland defense.
Bak, a defender, notched three assists last year, while Green, a goalkeeper, finished his junior season with 40 saves, 10 shutouts, and a 0.76 goals-against average.
“(Bak) reads the game well and is an excellent one-on-one defender. It will be difficult to get by him. Moving from outside back to the center, he will be key to organizing the defense and starting the buildup,” Valentic said. “Jack had an excellent season last year and keeps improving. He will be a big component of our success.”
