FHS boys soccer hopes to take another step forward in '25

FINDLAY – Findlay High boys soccer coach Kevin Shenise wanted his players to be bulldog-determined on defense last season, and they obliged.After giving up 64 goals in a disastrous 2023 season that saw Findlay finish 2-14-2, the Trojans trimmed that goals-allowed number nearly in half, giving up just 36 in 2024. The record – 7-10-2 – reflected that, and with a number of key personnel like seniors Britton Elliott, Elijah Gonyer, Brayden Cooper, Peyton Bogard and junior Tyler Worthington returning, defense will again be a center-point for the Trojans."As far as team strength goes, we have some strong defenders coming back," said FHS coach Kevin Shenise."We lost some good ones in Aiden McCord and Chris Huff. But we were able to replace them with some guys who got playing time last year, so defensively we should be pretty solid."Following the graduation of Zac Sayre, who made 119 saves in goal last season, Findlay got an added boost defensively with the return of senior David Roberts, who was in goal as a freshman but did not play his sophomore and junior years. He'll be battling junior Jacob Kinn for the starting job."We said we'd keep the competition open as long as we could, and those two are still there, pushing each other every day to see who comes out on top," Shenise said."You've heard that phrase iron sharpens iron? That's them every day in practice."After losing just four players off the 2023 team, Shenise saw graduation take a much bigger chunk out of his lineup last season, including four all-Northern Lakes League players in midfielders Eli Pinion and Ethan Humm and defenders McCord and Huff. Pinion, with nine goals and seven assists, and Humm (6 goals, 2 assists) were Findlay's top two scorers and both were first-team all-NLL; McCord and Huff both received second-team all-league honors.Graduation also cost the Trojans goalie Zac Sayre (119 saves) and midfielders Lakelyn Ross (1 goal), Clay Holzwart and Earth Chaipichit.The Trojans were dealt an unexpected loss when Brady DiBerardino moved to Florida. As a freshman, the midfielder had three assists and was being counted on to be at the forefront of Findlay's offensive attack this season."Eli Pinon was all-region and all-state. He was definitely a big part of our midfield, so replacing him is not going to be an easy task" Shenise said."And with Brady DiBerardino moving, that's two of the three pieces to our interior midfield this year."Gonyer also stepped up offensively with five goals, third most on the team, last season. Bogard (2 assists) and Elliott connected for a goal each.While improving its defensive numbers immensely, offense will continue to be a concern for the Trojans, who averaged just 1.63 goals per match last season. When two late blowouts – a 10-0 romp over Toledo Whitmer in the final regular season game, and a 6-0 win over Bowling Green in the OHSAA tournament opener – are removed from the equation, Findlay's offensive average dips to 0.8 goals per match."We struggled offensively, and that's continued into our preseason," Shenise said."We've had three scrimmages and were able to garner just one goal. We tied Lima Shawnee, always a good program, 0-0. We played Bowling Green and I thought we dominated but lost 1-0. And we lost 2-1 to (Toledo) St. John's."We're trying to diagnose the problem. We took it to the repairman and are trying to figure it out. We might try some different formations, see if maybe it will get us a little more creative on the offensive side."One treatment Shenise is planning is an injection of Carson Firestine, a freshman forward."He's got some skills," Shenise said."He's one of those kids that has a nose for the ball. He knows where it's at. He just has to get sued top playing against 18-year-olds."The learning curve is going to be steep for that young man, but we're trying to get him up to speed as quick as we can. I think you'll see him score some goals this year, and when they come, they may come in pockets."He's going to be an exciting kid to watch."Findlay fans will have the chance to see a lot of the Trojans early on, with their first five matches and six of the first seven being played at Elmer Graham Stadium.In addition to key NLL games with Perrysburg (Aug. 26) and Anthony Wayne (Sept. 2), Findlay will also host Dublin Scioto on Aug. 23, Centerville on Sept. 13 and Hilliard Davidson on Oct. 4, along with a road trip to Medina on Sept. 20.It's a stocked and stacked schedule, one Shenise feels best prepares his players."I've always been a coach that's going to challenge my guys with competition," he said."I want to know in September what I need to know in October when the playoffs roll around."The schedule, especially early in the season, has an added incentive as the school recognizes the 50th year of Findlay High School soccer."We want out boys to be excited about the legacy and the tradition of our program and understand the commitment that comes with that," Shenise said."It's not just putting on a jersey. There's more to it than that. "There's been a lot of great coaches, a lot of great players that have been a part of this program and put their blood sweat and tears into it. We want to honor that and make this a special season for our guys." 2025 BOYS SOCCER ROSTERSENIORS: David Roberts, Brayden Cooper, Elijah Gonyer, Charlie Ernst, Phoenix Highwood, Brayden Worcester, Peyton Bogard, Ryan Litteral, Britton Elliott, Owen LaRocco. JUNIORS: Jacob Kinn, Tyler Worthington, Logan Beadnell, Evan McDaniel, Austin Ernst. SOPHOMORES: Zion Ortiz, Adam Bascal. FRESHMEN: Gavin LaRocco, Asher Yu, Carson Firestine. BOYS SOCCER SCHEDULEAug. 16 – Wapakoneta at FindlayAug. 19 – Toledo Whitmer at FindlayAug. 23 – Dublin Scioto at FindlayAug. 26 – Perrysburg at FindlaySept. 2 – Anthony Wayne at FindlaySept. 9 – Findlay at Sylvania NorthviewSept. 13 – Centerville at FindlaySept. 16 – Findlay at Toledo WhitmerSept. 20 – Findlay at MedinaSept. 23 – Findlay at PerrysburgSept. 25 – Springfield at FindlaySept. 30 – Findlay at Anthony WayneOct. 2 – Sylvania Northview at FindlayOct. 4 – Hilliard Davidson at FindlayOct. 9 – Findlay at Sylvania SouthviewOct. 11 – Findlay at Ottawa Hills