by Carter Spearry ‘16
Ranked as the 4th best team from sea to shining sea by USA Today, Coach McLaughlin’s team is hungry for another state championship. Full of experience from last year’s triumph, this group is ready to hoist the ‘ship again at Crew Stadium.
Following the footsteps of standout goalkeeper Mikal Outcalt ‘15, Lodge Dils ‘17 will be the man between the sticks this season. Dils, a lanky ‘keeper who has an aura of calmness about him even in the biggest of games, has the ability to hold down his position as the “number one” as long as he stays consistent.
The back four consists of Adam Haas ‘17, Matt Trickett ‘18, Hunter Gordon ‘16, and Tommy Patacca ‘17. Trickett and Gordon make an excellent central pairing as both have terrific defensive instincts and can mark the quickest of forwards. Gordon’s experience will be the key for the defense this year, as he is the only returning defensive starter from the 2014 State Championship team. The two junior fullbacks are almost complete opposites of eachother: Haas is particularly good on the ball, even as a left back, and is able to push the play forward after winning the ball back for his team. Patacca on the other hand is a swashbuckler at right back – fearless to dive into the most acute tackles to win the ball.
Orchestra : Haas :: Rock band : Patacca
As strong as the defense is, the midfield may be the most talented unit on this team. Made up of John Duldner ‘16, Hayden Parente ‘16, and Stephen Milhoan ‘17, the three have 9 years of varsity experience between them. Parente is the epitome of a box-to-box midfielder – tackling an oncoming forward at one moment, and creating a goal at the other end the next. Duldner is another example of a player who can do it all. The hero of last year’s state championship game, Duldner plays with great passion and dedication, leading his team by example with his experience. Rounding out the midfield three is Stephen Milhoan, one of the best players in the state. Milhoan scored five goals against St. Edward on opening night, and hasn’t stopped there. The junior is dynamic on the ball, making fans and opposing defenders alike ooh and ahh with his foot skills. One would be hard-pressed to find a more composed goalscorer in Ohio than Milhoan.
Lawrence Karpeh ‘16 leads the front line with juniors John Vrablic and Riley Houde on the flanks. Karpeh is easily one of the most physically dominating players in the state; one who regularly leaves defenders for dead with his strength and speed. The pacey Houde is known to finesse his way around defenders and deliver dangerous crosses to the likelihood of Karpeh and Milhoan. Vrablic is a jack-of-all-trades, using his technical ability to maneuver around the box and find the open man. Although without an armband, Vrablic is a very vocal leader on the pitch who tries to motivate and get the best out of his teammates.
Other Notable Players:
Max Heath ‘17 (GK)- A goalkeeper of similar quality to Dils who will fight day-in and day-out for the starting spot as throughout the season.
Patrick Strauss ‘17 (CB)- His hair described by Seth Whitney as “some of the most luscious lettuce I’ve seen in awhile,” Strauss is the first defender off the bench and will serve as a trusty backup for both Gordon and Trickett.
Adam Collins ‘17 (AM)- Collins is an intelligent attacking midfielder who can make smart runs into the box and distribute the ball well from the outside. Look for Collins to pick up more minutes as the season goes on.
With the leadership of the seniors and under the guidance of the most successful coach in Ohio High School Boy’s Soccer, the table is set for another historic year for the soccer ‘Cats. Can they do it again?
