The 2018 boys soccer season will see some new faces on the sidelines. Four of the seven area schools with boys soccer programs have new coaches.
Tom Pollert takes over at Columbus North, Joe Murphy steps in at Columbus Christian, Skip Simmons assumes the reins at Brown County and Joe Doggett takes over at Trinity Lutheran.
Here is a look at those and other local squads heading into the season:
Columbus East
The Olympians broke through with their second sectional title in three years last season. They went 13-3-4, including 4-1-2 to finish second in the Hoosier Hills Conference.
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Five starters return, led by junior goalkeeper Zach Roberts.
“I think he’s going to be one of the better goalkeepers in the state,” East coach Brad Barber said. “Zach has been very good for us in the past and has really stepped into a leadership role this year.”
Juniors Eric Stiles and Jorge Nieto return in the center midfield. Senior Rick Sanchez moves from outside back to the midfield, and junior Gabe Rivera returns at outside back.
Senior Antony Espinosa, who saw some varsity action, along with sophomore Logan Cline, junior Ryan Moore and freshman Chris Quisenberry will rotate at the forward spots. Junior Leyton Erfmeier steps into a midfield spot, where freshmen Korbin Hatcher and Branson Young also could see action.
Seniors Daniel Boggs and Kyle Pittman, both of which played some varsity last season, take over at center back. Senior Damien Daugherty or junior Thomas O’Dell could play the other outside back.
“I’m really impressed with our upperclassmen, many of which have been behind some very talented seniors,” Barber said. “They’ve worked hard and are capitalizing on that this summer. I feel like we have the pieces to be a very strong team this year. We just have to figure out how to put the pieces of the puzzle together.”
Columbus North
Pollert takes over for Andy Glover, who had taken North to among the state’s elite teams in the early part of the decade.
Pollert is a former player and assistant coach at North and head coach at Franklin College and Southern Maryland. He inherits a team that went 13-6-1, including 5-2 in Conference Indiana.
“I think they’re just trying to get comfortable with figuring out who I am, and I’m trying to figure out who they are,” Pollert said. “We’re trying to build the culture that satisfies both of our needs.”
The Bull Dogs return senior goalkeeper Noah Kestler, who may split time with sophomore Colvin Iorio.
Senior Zach Friend returns at center back and will be joined by senior Edgar Garcia, who comes back to soccer after playing football last year. Senior Ernie Perez returns in the midfield, along with juniors Graham Keele and Sotaro Kaneda.
Seniors Frazier Swan and Fabio Navarro also could see action in the midfield. Sophomore Kurt Nusterer takes over at forward, and junior Andrew Goble steps in at center back. Junior newcomer Ben Malone and sophomore Martin Figueroa could play outside back.
“Winning conference is always our first goal, and then our second goal is to win sectional,” Pollert said. “We think we have a team that can get that accomplished, but we’re still very early in the process. The boys are committed, so very happy about that. They’ve been putting in the work all summer.”
Hauser
The Jets will be looking for some offense after losing their leading scorer from the past three years and assist leader from the past two years.
Last year, Hauser went 4-7-3, including 2-2 in the Mid-Hoosier Conference.
“I’m just not sure where my scoring is going to come from this year,” Hauser coach Andy Hunnicutt said. “I know we’re going to have some.”
Seven starters return, including seniors Will Trotter and Justin Stafford in the midfield, seniors Ethan Hoke and Luke Swegman on defense and senior Cameron Lawson in goal. Senior Joe Hunter can play anywhere on the field, and junior Sam Johnson is back in the midfield.
Battling for the other starting spots are senior Caleb Carnine, sophomore Justice Gilliland and freshman Carlos Cuevas in the midfield; sophomore Ben Essex on defense; sophomore Micah Walker and freshman Daniel Taylor at forward; freshman Alec Lopez at midfield or forward and sophomore Cameron Scott, who could play anywhere on the field.
“I’m not sure how we’re going to do yet this year,” Hunicutt said. “But unlike last year, when I thought I was going to have a lot of returning seniors last year, and they didn’t come out, this year, all but one of our returning seniors came back.”
Columbus Christian
Murphy, who played at Seymour, takes over the Crusaders program after a 2-7-1 season last fall.
Murphy’s nephew, senior Conner Emily, and junior C.J. Reed in the center midfield and sophomore goalkeeper Garrett Spurgeon are the top returners. Junior Evan Graham and senior Ethan Edwards are back at outside back, and junior Josh Jones returns at center back.
Senior Adrianne Tallent and seventh-graders Ethan Bumbalough and Amelia Bailey will step in at forward. Nathaniel Defriece and freshman Gavin Lustig will be at outside midfield, and seventh-grader Noah Edwards steps in at center back.
“They’re looking pretty good,” Murphy said. “I think we can be pretty decent if we put in the hard work in practice. One of the big goals they want to do is regional champs.”
Brown County
Simmons, a former Brown County player and assistant coach, has been working with Brown County Parks and Recreation the past few years.
Last year, the Eagles went 11-5-1, including 3-1 in the Western Indiana Conference.
“We lost quite a few seniors last year, so this year is going to be building,” Simmons said. “I’m really big about building a feeder program and having it consistent so we can be good through the year.”
Returning starters include sophomore Jake Huddleston in goal, junior Caleb Yeager in the center midfield and sophomores Logan Huddleston and Cameron Payne in the outside midfield. Senior Aiden Johnson moves from defense to the midfield, senior Whitten Keith moves from outside back to center back and junior Will Normile could play forward or move to the midfield.
Battling to fill other starting spots are freshman Sam Normile and junior newcomer Owen Taylor at forward, sophomore Ricky Stanley in midfield, sophomore Ty Wesley at center back and sophomore Zach Spires at outside back.
“I have some good returning talent, and I have some good freshmen coming up,” Simmons said. “I’m looking forward to what they’re going to accomplish this season and then the following season.”
Jennings County
The Panthers will be looking for a big improvement after going 2-16, including 1-6 in the HHC.
Six starters return, including junior Jaydan Vanosdol at forward and senior Justin Copeland at outside back. Junior Keagan Craig could play forward or outside midfield, senior Gavin McKinney could play center midfeild or center back, sophomore Carter McNulty could play center back or outside back and senior Dylan Boswell could play center mid, outside back or forward
Sophomore Dreagen Ison takes over in goal. Battling for other starting spots are junior Zane Law and senior newcomer Alex Hendrix at outside midfield, junior Cameron Wooodard at center back, senior Daniel Redmond at outside back or outside midfield, freshman Ethan Brown at outside back, freshman Logan McIntosh at outside midfeild or center midfield and freshman Carson McNulty at forward, outside back or outside midfield.
“I have a really good freshman class, one of the best ones I’ve had in awhile,” Jennings coach Brad Morris said. “With our depth, I think we can sub about five to six guys and lot really lose play. We were not very deep at all last year.”
Trinity Lutheran
Doggett, a former Indiana University football player, takes over a team that went 4-7-3 last season.
Doggett’s son, junior Sawyer Doggett, returns as a defensive midfielder. Also back are senior forward Trent Shoemaker, senior outside midfielder AJ Goecker and senior center back Josiah Foster.
Senior exchange student Kevin Cho and sophomore Zephyr Wilson, a transfer from East, could play anywhere on the field. Also new to the program are freshmen Micah Baumgartel, Conner Sims and Brayden Stockelman and Preston Kovenar, all of which could play outside back.
Sophomore Ethan Myers also could see time at. outside back. Senior Ricky Castro and sophomore Noah Mensendiek will br at forward, and junior Kash Siefker will play in the midfield. Junior Nathan Thompson could take over in goal, sophomore Caleb Probst could play outside back or in goal.
“We really have some good field talent,” Joe Doggett said. “We’re loaded up front, and we’re loaded for defense. Everyone on the team has something they can offer.”
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The 2018 boys soccer schedules for Bartholomew County schools:
Columbus East
Monday;Floyd Central;6 p.m.
Aug. 18;at Center Grove Trojan Classic;11 a.m.
Aug. 21;Seymour;7 p.m.
Aug. 23;at Columbus North;7 p.m.
Aug. 25;Bloomington North;12:30 p.m.
Aug. 29;at East Central;7 p.m.
Sept. 4;at Bedford North Lawrence;7 p.m.
Sept. 8;Fishers;12:30 p.m.
Sept. 13;Jennings County;7 p.m.
Sept. 15;at Castle;2:30 p.m.
Sept. 20;at Madison;7 p.m.
Sept. 22;New Albany;1:30 p.m.
Sept. 24;Bloomington South;7:30 p.m.
Sept. 29;at Jeffersonville;12:30 p.m.
Columbus North
Aug. 16 at Bloomington North;7:30 p.m.
Aug. 21;at Cathedral;7:30 p.m.
Aug. 23;Columbus East;7 p.m.
Aug. 28;Center Grove;7:30 p.m.
Aug. 30;Franklin Central;7:30 p.m.
Sept. 1;at Terre Haute South;3:30 p.m.
Sept. 7;at North Central Tournament;5 p.m.
Sept. 8;at North Central Tournament;10:30 a.m.
Sept. 10;East Central;7:30 p.m.
Sept. 13;at Perry Meridian;7:30 p.m.
Sept. 15;Terre Haute North;12:30 p.m.
Sept. 18;at Bloomington South;7:30 p.m.
Sept. 20;Westfield;7:30 p.m.
Sept. 25;at Seymour;7 p.m.
Sept. 28;Carmel;7:30 p.m.
Columbus Christian
Aug. 21;at Southside Christian;5 p.m.
Aug. 28;Horizon Christian;5 p.m.
Sept. 4;Martinsville Christian;5 p.m.
Sept. 6;at Colonial Christian;5:30 p.m.
Sept. 11;Bloomington Lighthouse;5:30 p.m.
Sept. 13;Hauser;5 p.m.
Sept. 15;at Evansville Christian;2:30 p.m.
Sept. 17;Southside Christian;5 p.m.
Sept. 20;Christel House Academy;6 p.m.
Sept. 24;Suburban Christian;5:30 p.m.
Sept. 29;Kings Academy;1 p.m.
Hauser
Aug. 18;Southwestern (Shelby);10 a.m.
Aug. 23;at Knightstown;5:30 p.m.
Aug. 28;at Oldenburg Academy;5:30 p.m.
Aug. 30;Trinity Lutheran;5 p.m.
Sept. 4;Morristown;5:30 p.m.
Sept. 6;at Southwestern (Shelby);5 p.m.
Sept. 11;at Greensburg;5:30 p.m.
Sept. 13;at Columbus Christian;5 p.m.
Sept. 15;at Anderson;2 p.m.
Sept. 18;at Morristown;5:30 p.m.
Sept. 20;Indianapolis Lutheran;6 p.m.
Sept. 24;at Franklin County;5:30 p.m.
Sept. 26;at Henryville;5:30 p.m.
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