By Michael Cignoli (For OzarksSportsZone.com)
With eight returning starters in his lineup, Greenwood boys soccer coach Jan Stahle has lofty expectations for the Blue Jays this fall.
Asked what he was most excited about seeing this season, Stahle was succinct.
“Us reaching the Final Four,” he said.
Such an accomplishment would be a huge step forward for a program that won just 14 combined games in 2021 and 2022, but matched that total during last season. The Blue Jays went 14-12, falling to Cassville in the opening round of the district tournament.
Stahle said it took the Blue Jays about three seasons to finally learn the team’s system, which showed in the team’s record. With so many returning players, look for the Blue Jays to be even better at executing their vision this season.
“Ball on the ground and let the ball do the work,” Stahle said. “No dribbling unless no other choices.”
The Blue Jays will return two players who earned all-district honors last fall, midfielder Andrew Scott and forward Chance Rose. The senior duo combined to score about 58 percent of Greenwood’s goals.
“Chance Rose is our goal scorer with 26 goals from last year and will be a key offensive player for us,” Stahle said. “Andrew Scott is another great senior with 13 goals and nine assists.”
Their contributions will become even more important with the losses of key defensive contributors Colin Clark and Braden Nicholson. Stahle said Clark, a heavily recruited basketball talent, will not be playing this fall, while Nicholson tore his ACL in an offseason friendly.
“That will hurt us badly,” Stahle said.
Stahle said the team’s biggest strength “used to be defense” until Nicholson went down — the team held opponents to just 2.5 goals per game in each of the past two seasons.
The senior’s absence means the Blue Jays will have to work even harder to reach their goal of being the first Greenwood team since 2019 to advance to the state semifinals.
“I expect us to be in the Final Four,” Stahle said. “But with our injuries, who knows?”
Still, the Blue Jays will have a solid cast of returning players ready to rise to the challenge.
“There are eight returning starters, which is great for a small school like ours,” Stahle said.
Senior midfielder Sebastian Parada and senior defender Enzo Cricchio will provide on-field leadership, while Nicholson will serve as an honorary captain.
Junior Matthew Monteith will also be looked to as a team leader, while sophomores Grant Nicholson, Alex Holden and Caden Frederick will also return.
Hett Patel will transition into the role of starting goalkeeper, a position he’s never played before. The senior spent last season as a reserve defender.
Stahle added that some underclassmen, including two freshmen, could also crack the varsity lineup.
The Blue Jays will primarily use a 4-3-3 formation this year, allowing them to do what they do best.
“Playing beautiful soccer without kick and run,” Stahle said.
Their regular-season and home opener is scheduled for August 30 against Aurora.
