By Denise Tucker (For OzarksSportsZone.com)
For the Waynesville Tigers, program success comes not only in the win column but also in a winning culture.
After seven straight losing seasons, the Tigers produced back-to-back 15-win campaigns in 2022 and 2023 (scoring 75 goals and conceding 18) and will look to ride that momentum into the 2024 season.
“As a program, we really continued to focus on building a positive culture with the team, parents and our community,” said Eric Thornburg, who is 30-12 in two seasons as the Tigers’ head coach. “We had lots of great memories from the various activities during the season along with the success on the field. We have a great group of leaders coming back this year in our senior class that are driven to compete while promoting sportsmanship and community.”
Waynesville finished 15-5 overall and 8-2 in the highly competitive Ozark Conference, ending the season with a first-round loss to Kickapoo (3-1) in the Class 4 District 5 Tournament.
This season, the Tigers return a large, experienced and successful senior class (9) and four juniors looking to get over that district tournament hump.
Sei Fowler, senior forward/defender – Scored 10 goals, with 6 assists; named Class 4 All-District 5 first team and All-Ozark Conference first team. “Sei is one of the best technical players I’ve ever coached,” Thornburg said. “He has an incredible ability to read the game and lead the team to success. He has been a key component to our recent success and will be one of our key players this year. Sei often plays as a 6 (holding mid), which has limited his scoring tallies. We are aiming to push him higher this year and increase his scoring opportunities.”
Tristan Boerner, senior goalkeeper – Recorded a .898 goals against average last season; All-Ozark Conference second team. “Tristan is one of the best all-around goalies in our program’s history. He has worked hard in the offseason to improve technically and really blossomed with his positioning to deny scoring opportunities of opponents. We’ll need him to play a bigger role in organizing our defense. We graduated a lot of defensive experience last year, but with his knowledge, we should be tough to score against again this year. Tristan will also be a dual sport athlete as he and Ace will also serve as the football team’s kickers.”
Deigo Cruz, senior forward – 3 goals, 2 assists. “Deigo has the potential to have a breakout season. He’s looked good this summer, with speed and technical skills to contribute offensively this year. We’ll expect him to be more involved defensively which should allow him to also spark the offense on quick counters.”
Aiden Sherohman, senior forward – 8 goals 5 assists. “Aiden’s work ethic is second-to-none. Aiden creates a lot of scoring opportunities for us as he’s often relentless in pursuit of the ball. We expect him to be a leading scorer and will generate a lot of shots for the team.”
Ace Long, senior midfielder – 4 goals, 4 assists. “Ace put in a lot of work last year and has looked really strong this summer. He’s vastly improved using both feet and has a nose for quality scoring chances. I’m really excited to watch what he does for our team as he is a great leader on and off the field. Ace will be a dual sport athlete as he will also serve as the football team’s kicker.”
Ayden Gerber, senior midfielder – 1 goal, 1 assist. “I expect Ayden to really come into his own this year. He’s a physically strong athlete and will help replace the senior defenders we (graduated). He has good feet and will help get us forward from the back line this year.”
Brayden Weigelt, senior midfielder – 2 assists. “Brayden is another coach on the field. He does a great job talking to players and organizing the team. He’ll be a leader defensively, but his high work rate allows him to get forward offensively. I expect him to have a strong year for us.”
Will Figureoa, senior midfielder – 1 goal, 1 assist. “Will brings speed into the midfield. He should be a good complement to the other potential midfielders. He’s strong and creative with the ball which should create exciting moments. Definitely expect to see Will’s scoring tallies to increase this year.”
Adam Chmura, senior defender – “Adam was a starting center back last year and has a good understanding of the game. He’s a very good 1-v-1 defender. He’ll be the centerpiece to our defense. His aerial abilities will be needed on set pieces this year, and (he) serves as the team’s barber!”
Patrick Lebioda, junior midfielder – “We expect Patrick to have a breakout season this year. He’s got great feet and vision on the field. He’ll grow a lot this season but should play an important role for us in the midfield.”
Mason Zamora, junior midfielder – “Mason is a great all-around athlete. He’s looked really good this summer with the ball and can help out on the back line or in the midfield. It’ll be important to get his voice heard on the field.”
Tucker Sandidge, junior midfielder – “Tucker will be a potential starter for us this year. He reads the field well and is physically strong with the ball.”
Christian Huckaby, junior midfielder – “Christian will be competing for a starting spot on the team this year. He has quick feet and a fierce competitor.”
“We continue to have good numbers coming out,” Thornburg said. “With another large group of seniors that have had a lot of playing time together, I expect them to gel quickly this season. We have several guys that can serve in a number of spots on the field that lets us have flexibility throughout the season.
“Our soccer IQ should really help us replace the athleticism from last year’s graduates. The team likes to get forward quickly, which will be different from last year, and team camaraderie will be a strength for us this year. We really won’t have a complete picture, as move-ins always offer a surprise.”
Thornburg added that Brody Cross, Colton Fidler, Tre’von Reed and Asher Johnson will also be competing for varsity minutes and should challenge the upperclassmen.
Waynesville graduated a large senior class in 2024, including leading scorer Tyrell Pinn, who is now playing at Drury University.
Tyrell Pinn, midfielder – Scored 18 goals with 15 assists; named Class 4 All-Region 3, Class 4 All-District 5 first team and All-Ozark Conference first team. “His athleticism and offensive output is irreplaceable,” Thornburg said. “I expect big things for him at Drury.”
Logan Scheller, midfielder – 5 goals, 4 assists; Class 4 All-District 5 honorable mention and All-Ozark Conference honorable mention; playing at Lincoln University. “We’ll miss his presence in the midfield. His decision-making and team-first mentality will serve him well in college.”
Jourdyn Jackson, defender – 4 goals; All-Ozark Conference second team. “Jourdyn was one of the most gifted athletes to play for Waynesville. His size and abilities to win the ball will leave a big hole to fill. He’s going to welding school and looking for opportunities to continue playing in South Carolina.”
Averial Williams, midfielder – 8 goals, 5 assists; Class 4 All-District 5 first team. “Averial is another athletically gifted player that will compete for a roster spot at the University of Kentucky.”
Jaden Cruz, defender – 4 goals, 5 assists; Class 4 All-District 5 honorable mention and All-Ozark Conference honorable mention. “Jaden will be focusing on his education next year. His presence in the midfield really defined our team last year and will be sorely missed.”
The Tigers also graduated defender Andrew Novakoski, who will be focusing on nursing school next year, and midfielder Deon Cady, who scored 8 goals with 4 assists.
“Collectively, they were one of the most athletic groups of players to ever play for Waynesville,” Thornburg said. “You could see their potential their freshman year. It was a joy to watch them grow and mature. Their competitive fire created tension at times, but they left the program in a better spot and, collectively, set team records that will be hard to beat.”
The Tigers will participate in a jamboree at Washington on Aug. 22, before opening the regular season at home against Carthage on Sept. 3, as they compete in the Central Ozark Conference in 2024.
“Moving to the new COC will be a challenge; all the teams will be difficult to play against,” Thornburg said. “The team is really positive and strong mentally. They work hard and are willing to persist no matter what the score might be.
“We always look forward to the Camdenton, Rolla and Lebanon games, as they are our geographic neighbors and natural rivals. The games always have intensity with the players and fans and are difficult to win.”
