By Amanda Perkins (For OzarksSportsZone.com)
Coming off a 15-win season, Cassville soccer looks to further improve upon their winning record with key threats back on the pitch.
“We return 56 goals out of the 85 we scored from last year’s team, so we feel pretty good about our offense going into the year,” said head coach Jake Forste, who enters his eighth season at the Wildcats’ helm. The total goals and average of 3.47 goals per game were both 15-year statistical highs for Cassville soccer. “Despite registering some lofty offensive numbers last fall, I think it is possible we are even better in the offensive categories in the upcoming season.”
Diego Haros is a junior forward/midfielder who led the Big 8 in assists as a sophomore with 23 and scored 16 goals, playing all over the field last year. “I think he is one of the top players in the area and will contend for most valuable player in the Big 8 conference this fall,” said Forste. “He’ll be a big part of our success in 2024.”
Cayden Rohde (forward, junior) scored 14 goals and registered 5 assists in his sophomore season. “He is extremely quick and highly successful attacking the wide 1v1s,” said Forste. “He will continue to be a force up top for us this fall.”
Junior defender Kaid Williams “can play anywhere on the field, but thrived as a center back for us last fall,” said Forste. “He is a phenomenal defender and will be our leader on the back line. We will lean on Kaid’s leadership this season as the anchor of our defense.”
David Rehbach, sophomore forward/midfielder, added 6 goals and 5 assists last season. “David was primarily an attacking midfielder for us last fall,” said Coach Forste. “He is an excellent playmaker and a technician with the ball on his foot. We are looking forward to double-digit goals and assists from David this fall.”
Sophomore Christian Burgos scored 7 goals and had 4 assists in his freshman campaign. The forward/midfielder “is a gifted player who can excel in both central and wide attacking roles,” said Forste. “He was one of several full-time starters as a freshman who we’ll look to lean on in his sophomore season.”
Other returning key players include Diego Ibarra and Hugh Thao, each sophomore midfielders. Diego and Hugh were both defensive midfielders last year who each registered 20+ starts as freshmen.
The wide back trio of Noah Driskill (sophomore), Zeb Blankenship (sophomore), and Cody Peterson (senior) round out Cassville’s defensive returners.
“These three played key minutes on last year’s back line, which allowed a stingy 1.3 goals against average,” Forste noted.
The Wildcats will also have a new goalkeeper this fall; currently competing for the title are senior Jarrett Hinson, junior newcomer Logan Wingo, and freshman Cylas Austin.
New players for Cassville include sophomore Mason Rillstone (center back, forward); freshman Preston Driskill (forward/midfield); freshmen defenders Jackson Winfrey, Daniel Frazier, and Marshall Lakey, as well as sophomore newcomers Aiden Mendoza and Rylen Holman, also defenders.
“In addition to wins, we set fifteen-year high marks in goals allowed (1.30) as well as goals scored (3.47),” said Forste. “We return most of last year’s lineup and are looking to push our attacking output closer to four goals per game this fall. We have high expectations as a team and look forward to competing at a high level in both the conference and district playoffs.”
Cassville will jamboree at McDonald County August 27 with the host and Aurora. Their first home game against Lighthouse Senior High will be September 10.
