By Staff

Fall 2019 Preview: Cassville Soccer

By Denise Tucker (For OzarksSportsZone.com)

The record may not have reflected it, but the Cassville Wildcats were fiercely competitive during the 2018 season.

“I think we had an exciting team in 2018 that competed in almost every game,” said head coach Jake Forste, who enters his fourth season at Cassville. “We were in a lot of knock-down, drag-out types of matches, but unfortunately went 1-8 in games decided by one goal – and that led to our record of 6-16. Last year’s team had an identity as a rock-solid defensive team that was difficult to break down. Our 2019 team will have a similar identity.”

First, the Wildcats, who went 0-7 in the Big 8 Conference and lost to Monett in the Class 2 District 9 semifinals last season, must overcome the loss of seven senior starters.

• Noah Parsons, a defender, was a four-time all-conference and all-district selection, and a two-time all-region honoree, who scored 16 goals and had three assists last season.

• Carter Fletcher, a defender, was all-conference and all-district.

• Luis Lara, a midfielder, was an all-district pick, who dished out eight assists in 2018.

• Andrew Berndt, a forward, was named all-conference and all-district and scored 14 goals with 10 assists.

• Vance Supulver, a goalkeeper, had two assists and recorded three shutouts.

• JJ Okel, a forward, scored seven goals and had four assists.

The Wildcats also lose defender Andrew Littlefield to graduation, as well as junior Camron Sloan, who will be on a year-long study abroad in France.

“We will miss the leadership of last year’s group,” Forste said. “Most of those seniors were three- or four-year starters. They were a great group on the field and in the classroom. Losing a class that large leaves a void on the team, but there’s also endless opportunity right now for our young guys – and they are doing a great job of seizing the moment.”

Cassville has a solid group returning that has Forste confident about this season.

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• Michael Sommers, a senior forward, is a three-year starter, who scored one goal and had one assist. “He has spent most of his time at right back the last few years, but he is transitioning into becoming our target player up top as a center forward,” Forste said. “He has had an excellent summer and will key the attack for us this year.”

• Dylan Berndt, a junior midfielder (1 assist), has been a key role player on varsity the last few years. “But, with the departure of nine varsity lettermen, he will be asked to take on more of a scoring and leadership role. Dylan is strong on the ball and has a great mind for the game. He is ready and willing to step up as a team leader.”

• Dylan Renkoski is a sophomore defender (2 assists). “Dylan was our team’s ‘Newcomer of the Year’ last year as a freshman, and with good reason. He is a fearless defender who plays with a ton of heart and inspires the team to do the same. He will start at center back for us this year and be a big part of our team’s defensive game plan.”

• Russell Dunker, a junior defender (1 assist), was a part-time starter and primary sub last year in a utility role. “He will also make the transition to full-time center back for us this year. Russ is a brick wall defensively and has really improved his closing speed and touch this offseason.”

• Carson Whittemire, is a junior defender/midfielder (1 assist). “Whit is a two-year returning letterman who spent most of his time at left back last year. We will look to him to help anchor a backline that features four new starters.”

In addition to his solid returnees, Forste will look to five incoming freshmen and a junior to make an impact this season.

“Our youth and inexperience represent a big challenge for us,” Forste said. “Currently, we are looking at having two seniors and as many as 15 freshmen on this team. It is a pretty unique situation to be in, and our primary goal is to raise the new guys up the right way. I think we have a great team culture, team leaders, and we have an identity as a program, so I am confident they can come in and contribute right away.”

• Peter Littlefield, a freshman goalkeeper, is expected to step into the starting role Day One. “He is a 6-3, long-armed keeper with great instincts. Our middle school club coaches have done a great job working with Pete over the last year and we have high hopes for his abilities right out of the gate.”

• Edgar and Ivan Perez are twin freshmen who can play anywhere on the pitch. “Ivan will step into a role as a center back and Edgar will work in the midfield.”

• Reece Heiden is a winger “with great pace who can shoot with both feet.”

• Travis Ross, a junior, is a transfer and “will step right into an attacking role for us.”

“Our strength this year will lie in our team defense,” Forste said. “Defensive intensity is ingrained into our team’s DNA. Being physical and defensive-minded is just who we are and how we play. I think with a little time, this team has the ability to be excellent defensively.”

The Wildcats will participate in a jamboree with McDonald County and Aurora on Aug. 27 at McDonald County before opening the regular season with Thomas Jefferson and Aurora in the Cassville Kickoff Classic on Sept. 3.

“I am excited to take the field with this team in 2019,” Forste said. “It is pretty tough to put an expectation on this group, since our team will be comprised of around 75 percent new players.