By Denise Tucker (For OzarksSportsZone.com)
One might expect a huge drop-off when a team loses 90 percent of its offense, including its leading scorer.
But, the Marshfield Blue Jays worked to overcome those losses and posted an 8-13-2 overall record and a 3-3 mark in the Big 8 Conference in 2019, following a 12-11 finish in 2018.
“The 2019 team was an example of what hard work can do for a team,” head coach Tom Searson said. “While we didn’t have the same offensive power that we did in 2018, we were able compete with teams based on our effort and physical play.
“With an increased emphasis on defense, we adjusted well and were able to stay competitive throughout the season. Many of those games were one-goal losses. We are in a similar situation this year as we graduated seven varsity seniors, five of which were key starters for us in 2019.”
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That emphasis on defense helped the Blue Jays reduce their goals-against average from 2.3 goals per game in 2018 to 1.3 goals per game in 2019, which ended with a 3-0 loss to Glendale in the Class 3 District 10 quarterfinals.
“The defense was led by seniors Danny Parrish and Will Snider in the center, with sophomore Mathew Derecichei doing a great job in goal,” Searson said. “Hudson Aikins came in later in the season to help solidify the defense. Freshman Joe Harles was also a key component to the back line for us.”
The losses to graduation include Parrish, Snider, Jadon Wipf, Michael Pennington and Coltan Arentz.
• Danny Parrish – Scored five goals and had one assist. Earned Class 3 All-District 10 First-Team and All-Big 8 Conference First-Team honors. Playing this fall at Southwest Baptist University.
• Will Snider – Was named All-District First Team and All-Conference Honorable Mention.
• Jadon Wipf – Scored one goal and had one assist, and was named to the All-District Second Team.
• Michael Pennington – Scored two goals and collected three assists.
• Coltan Arentz – Scored one goal with one assist.
Key returnees for Marshfield include Hudson Aikins, a senior defender, who earned Class 3 All-District 10 Second-Team and All-Big 8 Conference Honorable Mention honors, and Mathew Derecichei, a junior goalkeeper, who was named All-Big 8 Honorable Mention.
“Hudson will probably anchor our defense this year,” Searson said. “He is one our hardest working players and is not afraid to be physical. He will be a key component for us.
“Mathew continues to improve every year and is one of the best keepers I’ve been able to coach. My assistant coach, Justin Kanengieter (former MHS keeper), has done a great job of pushing Mathew and helping in his training.”
In addition to Aikins, Searson has only two other seniors returning.
“Cody Martin came off the bench for us last year in different positions, but I look for him to fill in to the defense and help keep our defensive effort at a high level,” Searson said. “Eric Musquiz missed most of the season with ankle injuries, but it would nice to see him back on the field.”
The Blue Jays will be looking to juniors Justin Hanson, Chris Housholder and Issac Moon to take on bigger roles this season.
• Justin Hanson – “A key in midfield for us last year, and has great field awareness. He will be a key part of our offense.”
• Chris Housholder – “Has improved each year and I look for him to define his role for us this year. He has been a utility player so far and I know will work hard wherever we need him.”
• Isaac Moon – Missed last season due to a leg injury. “He has been working with us over the summer and will likely slip into a defensive position for us.”
Searson also has a group of sophomores he thinks will surprise some teams after coming off the bench last season.
“Many of these guys have been playing together since they were young, so they have a good chemistry,” Searson said of Connor Bixler, Asher Adams, Kelby Hyder and Michael Mann. “They have been consistently coming to summer workouts and I’m looking forward to what they will be able to do over the next three years.”
• Connor Bixler – “Will be an offensive threat for us and has good touch on the ball and a knack for finding the goal.”
• Asher Adams – “A hard worker who continues to improve and will be another contributor to the offense.”
• Kelby Hyder – “Has good speed and will hopefully be able to pick up some goals.”
• Michael Mann – “Will be moving up from the JV to take on one our defensive spots vacated by our seniors from last year.”
Marshfield is scheduled to participate in Greenwood’s jamboree on Aug. 25 before opening the regular season at the Lebanon Kickoff Tournament on Aug. 28-29.
“We aren’t taking the opportunity to play for granted and hope we can make it through the season,” Searson said of the effects COVID-19 has had on all things, including athletics. “It will take a little while to figure out this team’s ‘identity.’ We will be young this year and experience may be an issue, but I think by the end of the season we will be right where we need to be.”
