By Denise Tucker (For OzarksSportsZone.com)
Heading into the 2020 season, Marshfield boys’ soccer coach Tom Searson knew there would be an adjustment period, having lost six or seven starters.
“We did not know that the adjustments would be related more to COVID than anything else,” Searson said. “It was hard to get into any kind of rhythm with chemistry or a consistent lineup due to various quarantines we experienced during the season.
“We adjusted well and I feel like some guys, who may not normally get as much varsity time, were able to step up for us and gain some great in-game experience. I anticipate this helping us be a deeper team in 2021. We saw a lot of growth from our sophomore and junior class last season, and I think they are poised and ready to have a successful 2021 campaign.”
The Blue Jays finished 7-14-1 overall and fell to top-seeded and eventual Class 3 District 9 champion Lebanon.
“Overall, I feel like we did well, given the circumstances of last year,” said Searson, who is in his 10th year at Marshfield. “Having so many new players to the lineup, a lineup that seemed to change every game due to COVID, we learned a lot about who we were and what we will be in 2021.”
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Gone from the 2020 squad are Hudson Akins and Cody Martin. Both players missed several games due to multiple quarantines, although Akins did earn All-Big 8 Conference Honorable Mention honors.
Searson has 13 players returning, including most of his starting lineup from last season.
Mathew Derecichei, junior, goalkeeper, earned Class 3 District 9 first-team/Goalkeeper of the Year and All-Big 8 Conference Honorable Mention honors – “Mathew will be counted on to be a leader and help organize the defense this year. He is one of the best goalkeepers in the area, in my opinion, and can be a real game-changer.”
Justin Hanson, senior, midfielder, all-conference honorable mention – “Justin has a great feel for the game and good soccer vision. He will be a key component in getting us started on the attacking end.”
Joe Harles, junior, defender, all-district second team, all-conference honorable mention – “Joe is a big, physical presence in the center back position. He is a smart player who is not afraid to be physical. He has good skills and can help get us started on the attack.”
Asher Adams, junior, midfielder, all-district second team – “Asher is one of the hardest working players I’ve coached and has a never-quit mentality. He gets to a lot of balls that other kids give up on and he can catch defenders off-guard with his work ethic and skill. I look for him to increase his goal scoring this season.”
Chris Housholder, midfielder – “Chris is a reliable player who can a do a little of everything. He will be a good presence in the middle of the field playing in front of Joe and Isaac as a defensive mid – a position he really grew into last season.”
Isaac Moon, defender – “Isaac will be joining Joe as a center back this year and the two of them help us to be physical and strong in the center of the field. He’s not afraid of contact and has improved every year.”
Connor Bixler, junior, forward – “Connor has the potential to be a real playmaker for us. Every year, he has improved on his touch, speed of play and vision. I look for him to have a breakout year this year.”
Kelby Hyder, forward – “Kelby’s got good speed in open space and can be a real threat on the offensive end of the field.”
Michael Mann – “Unfortunately, Michael missed a good portion of the season last year with a shoulder injury, but he’s getting closer to being cleared to play and has been faithful working on his skill in summer sessions. He’s the type of player I could use just about anywhere on the field.”
Other players Searson will be looking to making a contribution this season include Lucas Schad, Tucker Dinwiddie, Wyatt Dudley and Ronin Adams.
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“Lucas Schad will be a junior and I’m looking for him to find his roll this year on the field,” Searson said. “He’s put a lot of time into the weight room and summer soccer training and I think he will be a good help to us this year.
“We have quite a few other guys who will fill different rolls for us this year. Tucker Dinwiddie and Wyatt Dudley are both senior defenders who have been working hard to improve in the offseason. Ronin Adams, a sophomore, got a lot of experience last year and has continued to improve his game. I look for him to step up and play more minutes in the back for us.”
Searson also said he has a good group of freshmen and sophomores who have been working hard in the offseason, and he is “looking forward to what they can do to improve this year.”
Marshfield will be participating in a jamboree at Greenwood with Logan-Rogersville and New Covenant Academy on Aug. 20 before opening the regular season in the Lebanon Kickoff Tournament on Aug.27-28.
“I think we will have a good combination of hard work and experience,” Searson said. “This group works hard and has a lot of high school soccer experience now. Combine that with an improvement in skill and I think we will be able to do some good things.
“I think we will improve on last season. We return most of our starting lineup and the juniors and seniors are coming in with some good game experience. It might take us a little while to gel together, but I think this team is ready to improve.”
