LHS Boys Soccer to Leverage Versatility and Teamwork in 2013
Senior Jameson Foran is ready to get the 2013 soccer season kicked off!
(photo courtesy of Penny Virag)
Team Outlook
The 2013 Lakewood High School Rangers Boys Varsity Soccer Team is looking forward to another winning season and setting sights on making a serious run for the conference championship in the competitive West Shore Conference, with perennial powerhouses Bay Village, Avon, Elyria Catholic, Midview, Vermillion and Rocky River. The 2013 rendition of the Lakewood soccer squad is deep and talented. The team’s strength is versatility and the ability of players to play multiple positions.
There are several Northeast Ohio Soccer Academy caliber players who opted to play for the Rangers, using their considerable talents on and off the field to build a team that reflects the best of Lakewood High School. Head Coach Andrew Toth remarked, “We value the intense work ethic, competitiveness and resolve our players have to leave everything on the field--every practice and every match--but our coaching team is most proud of the character, leadership, and lifelong friendships the boys in our program create for themselves.”
This isn’t just kick ball!
The 2013 team is as exceptional off the field as on. It is consistently recognized by the Ohio Scholastic Soccer Coaches Association (OSSCA) with its team academic award. Nearly two thirds of players are on the merit, honor or highest honor rolls and many are recognized as leaders among the school and community. Last year, 28 boys made either merit roll, honor roll, or the highest honor roll during the season and 11 of them had the highest honors--a grade point average greater than 4.0.
Diversity is a team quality as well. The 2013 team includes players born in Iraq, Burma, Nepal, Democratic Republic of Congo, Hungary, Albania, Palestine, Turkey and Thailand. This makes for an enriching experience for each team member as they learn to work together for common goals.
Position Overview
Great soccer teams display great defense. This year’s squad will be focusing on being an organized and coordinated unit, playing with high pressure in designated areas of the field with the intent not to give the opponent opportunities to take shots or slip balls into the box.
The defense is led by senior co-captain Jameson Foran, a 2012 West Shore Conference first team performer who will bring his soccer aptitude to the Varsity Football team this fall as he serves as the team’s kicker. “Jameson is the heart and soul of the team. He reads the game and quarterbacks the team from multiple positions. He is equally dangerous playing in all three lines on the field (defense, midfield, and forward),” commented Coach Toth.
“Senior co-captain David Kemp, a multi-sport letterman brings outstanding leadership, tenacity and inspires the younger players. His strength is overlapping runs into the attacking third and servicing balls into the box to create scoring opportunities.”
The defense is rounded out by Luke DeBaltzo (senior), Matt Kerrigan (senior), Grant Senger (junior), Alex Rosul (sophomore), Marcel Dunay (junior), and goalkeeper Robbie Fehrenbach (sophomore).
In 2013 the aim of the midfield is to take possession style of play to the next level with more “possession with purpose”--looking to play target players more frequently. Toth indicated that “Co-captain Johnny Virag is an exceptional academy level player who as a sophomore leads our midfield with his great technical skill and tactical insight into the game. Sophomore Jarod Macaluso is a crafty midfielder with tremendous potential and senior Justice White is a speedy outside midfielder. Alain Mika (senior) and Parker Kimes (junior) also should expect to see lots of playing time.”
The role of the front line this year is to stretch the field, show into pockets of open space as targets and create good scoring opportunities through creative improvisation and the ability to take players on one on one. “Our front line is led by senior Dino Papagianis, a motor that never stops and a player hard to move off of the ball. He partners with sophomore Jafar Fadhel whose shot is ferocious and potential is unlimited. Other key contributors to our offensive attack will be Ismail Askarov (senior), Zivko Pezulev (senior) and Cole Karel (junior) and Mohamed Alodat (sophomore),” commented Toth.
Stay tuned! The 2013 Lakewood High School Boys Varsity Soccer Team has its eye on numerous accomplishments this year.