With six returning starters and five other letter-winners returning, West Geauga is looking to generate more wins this fall.
The Wolverines finished 3-11-3 overall in head coach Danny Cappelucci’s first season.
“I think this year we have the potential to improve on the season we had last fall and hopefully earn a few more wins,” Cappelucci said. “Last year was a building block for us as a new coaching staff and after graduating a large group of seniors the year before. We worked a lot on getting the players to understand how we wanted to play and what we wanted to see. Now, having a second year to work with the team, we have seen some great improvements from the first year to the second. The boys have been working hard all summer and preseason and have shown they’re ready to build on the work put in last year.”
Already the Wolverines are off to a 2-0-1 start with wins over Geneva and Kirtland and a draw with Willoughby South, and have outscored their opponents 14-3.
That early success is evidence the Wolverines have had several players step up to replace key graduation losses.
“We have a number of holes that we have to fill from last year’s team,” Cappelucci said. “We lost key players in all three parts of the field, defense, midfield, and forward that will need to be replaced. There are some returning letter winners who are ready to step up and be starters this season. We also have some new varsity players who are eager to make their mark on the team and try and earn their place on the field. There is good competition in the squad for a place in the starting eleven which will help bring out the best in everyone.”
Midfielders Frankie Sassano and Martin Medancic are off to a hot start with four goals each in their first three games.
Sassano, a junior, scored three goals with four assists last fall, and Medancic, a senior, recorded three goals with two assists last season.
“Frankie is a player that works hard both defensively and offensively for the team. He is a very technical and intelligent player who has great vision and understanding of the game. We will look to Frankie to be one of our leaders offensively and to help us create scoring opportunities,” Cappelucci said. “Martin is a very gifted and technical player. He is incredibly dangerous with the ball at his feet and can create scoring chances for himself and his teammates. Martin will be a big part of our offense this season helping us to keep possession of the ball and help us create scoring chances in the attacking third.”
Junior Alex Schaffer started off the season by matching his production last fall with one goal and one assist.
“Alex is a player with a lot of heart and energy,” Cappelucci said. “He never takes a play off and loves to defend. He will be the engine of our midfield this season and we will rely on him to defend well and to get himself forward and be dangerous in the attack.”
Up top, forwards Nathan Kercher and Ben Mackin each have scored two goals this season.
Kercher, a senior, scored three goals with one assist while Mackin scored four goals with an assist last fall.
“Nathan is an intelligent and hard-working player. He understands where to position himself in attack and always finds himself in good goal-scoring opportunities. Nathan will be a very important player for us this season and a leader for us on and off the field,” Cappelucci said. “Ben is an aggressive and hardworking player who plays both sides of the game well. Ben defends when he is asked to, and he puts pressure on the opponent’s defense when he has the ball at his feet. Ben will be a very dangerous player offensively for us this season and we look forward to him being a creative spark for our attack.”
Defensively, junior Thomas Kirchner will anchor the back line.
“Ty is a very experienced and athletic defender,” Cappelucci said. “He can play anywhere along the back four but is at his best playing at center back. His speed and work rate make him difficult to beat and he is composed on the ball in possession. We will look to Ty to be a leader for us this year in defense.”
Senior goalkeeper Gabe Grisez will lead by example in protecting the net.
“Gabe is a strong and fearless goalkeeper,” Cappelucci said. “He isn’t afraid to come out into a crowd, make a play on the ball, and control his box. His great reactions and anticipation are a big boost to our defense. We will rely on Gabe to be an important presence for us this season and for him to be one of the leaders defensively.”
West Geauga’s optimism for the 2023 season is warranted and already the Wolverines are reaping the rewards of their hard work in the offseason.
To continue adding to the win total, the Wolverines must continue to play as a team.
“To be successful this year, we will have to work hard as a team in all aspects of the game,” Cappelucci said. “We will need all 11 players to defend and attack well as a unit to put pressure on our opponent and not let them be comfortable. When we defend together as a unit, we are difficult to break down, so making sure that we are fit enough to defend with intensity and defend collectively will help us minimize scoring chances for our opponents. In attack, we need to do our best to get numbers forward when we are able and create scoring chances by getting players into the box when we transition.”
