By Chris Parker
Cassville soccer had its first winning season since 2009 last year going 12-11-1 overall.
This year, Cassville returns eight starters who hope last year was the beginning of a new era.
“We had our first winning season in over ten years last fall along with our first playoff win in as many years,” Cassville head coach Jake Forste said. “It felt like the beginning of a new era for us. We have slowly improved in my eight seasons, and now these boys have their sights set on 15 wins and a few playoff victories. If we continue working hard and stay relatively healthy, I think the ceiling for this group is very high.”
The eight returning starters are: Malachi Vincent (senior goalkeeper), Andrew Gray (senior defender), Fernando Alonso (senior defender), Jackson Lindley (senior defender), Jackson Ray (senior midfielder), Ashton Wheeler (senior forward), Caden Rohde (sophomore forward) and Diego Haros (sophomore midfielder).
“We return our leading point scorers and all-district players from last year’s team in Jackson Ray (5 goals, 10 assists) and Ashton Wheeler (12 goals, 7 assists),” Forste said. “Those two have continued their ascension in the offseason and are primed for outstanding seasons. Senior Malachi Vincent allowed a paltry 1.25 goals against between the sticks last year across eight starts, and I think a sub 1.00 GAA is a possibility for him this fall.”
Other players who will factor into the varsity equation are: Cayden Rohde (sophomore forward), David Rehbach (freshman forward), Christian Burgos (freshman forward), Justin Case (senior forward), Diego Ibarra (freshman midfield), Hugh Thao (freshman defender), Zeb Blakenship (freshman defender), Noah Driskell (freshman defender) and Cody Peterson (freshman defender).
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Cassville has a strong mix of experience with youth ready to push for playing time.
“I think we have outstanding senior leadership, while also welcoming the deepest and most talented group of freshmen I’ve seen in my eight years at Cassville,” Forste said. “We have a lot of guys who just want to play soccer all day every day and help the team any way they can. That is a great recipe for team success, and I anticipate we will build on last year’s winning season.”
The Wildcats, who allowed just 1.6 goals per game last year, will look to have more of an offensive flair this season.
“We’ve historically been defensive and counter-press oriented, but I anticipate we possess the ball the best we’ve done in a long time,” Forste said. “I hope to keep our strong defensive identity, while improving in possession and scoring at a high-level.”
Cassville opens the regular season Aug. 29-Sept. 2 in its home tournament.
