By Denise Tucker (For OzarksSportsZone.com)
The Neosho Wildcats will have a new, but familiar, face leading the way this season.
Steve Schnackenberg, who has been a part of Neosho soccer since 1997, returns to the sideline as head coach of the boys’ team, which is coming off a quarterfinal appearance in 2021.
The Wildcats captured their fifth-straight district championship with a 3-1 win over Bolivar in the Class 3 District 6 final and finished with a 14-5 overall record and 6-3 in the Central Ozark Conference last season, before falling to Glendale, 3-2, in the quarterfinal round.
“Our expectations this season are to put ourselves in the position to be in the state tournament and compete at the top of the COC,” Schnackenberg said. “We continue to stress the importance of hard work and dedication. This is what it will take to replace the players that graduated.”
Neosho loses four key players from the Class of 2022 in Alexis Ramos, Yeison Vasquez, Gabe Zepete and Brian Hernandez, who is now playing at Crowder College.
CLICK HERE FOR LINKS TO ALL OF OUR FALL PREVIEWS
Ramos, a goalkeeper, recorded seven shutouts, earned all-district second-team honors and was named all-district Goalkeeper MVP.
Vasquez, midfielder, scored three goals with one assist and was team captain. He was an all-state second-team, all-region, all-district first-team and all-conference second-team selection in 2021. Vasquez is now playing at Crowder College.
Zepete, forward, scored 17 goals with four assists. He earned all-state second-team, all-region all-district and all-conference first-team honors.
“We had a great turnout in terms of the number of players and players that worked hard every day,” Schnackenberg said. “They had a never-quit mentality that led to the success they had.”
The Wildcats return six seniors with the experience to continue the team’s success.
• Juan Lucas, defender/midfielder – Earned all-region, all-district Defensive MVP and all-conference first-team honors. “Juan has been a team captain since his sophomore year,” Schnackenberg said. “He anchors our defense.”
• Christian Hernandez, defender – Was an all-district honorable mention selection. “Christian has shown he will be a great leader this year. He is an excellent defender and can distribute the ball.”
• Juan Perez, forward – Named all-state second-team, all-region, all-district MVP and all-conference first-team. “Juan tied with Gabe as our leading scorer (17) and in assists (4) last year.”
• Cesar Piedrasanta, midfielder – Earned all-district first-team and all-conference second-team honors. “Cesar is a great defender that has the ability to go forward and control the midfield.”
• Andy Lopez, forward/midfielder – Scored 4 goals with 3 assists as a starter.
• Byron Gomez, forward/midfielder – Scored 2 goals with 3 assists in a starting role.
DOWNLOAD THE O-ZONE APP NOW!
CLICK HERE TO DOWNLOAD FOR APPLE
CLICK HERE TO DOWNLOAD FOR ANDROID
Schnackenberg will look to a few newcomers to contribute this season.
• Noah Chapman, junior defender – “Noah is a great 1v1 defender.”
• Fabianai Ohajaca, sophomore midfielder – “Fabiani stepped into a starting role at the end of last season. He will step into a scoring role for us this season.”
• Christian Ornales, freshman forward – “Chris had a great summer and works very hard. He will fit in well in our attack.”
Neosho will participate in a jamboree at Joplin on Aug. 22 with Carthage and Monett, before opening the season against Branson on Aug. 30.
“We had great attendance and worked really hard this summer,” Schnackenberg said. “This is a very coachable group, and the adjustment of a new head coach is a challenge we will face this year.”
