Seven of the 12 Monroe County Region boys soccer teams reached double digits for wins last season.
It appears more success lies ahead with eight players who made the All-Region team last fall back for 2025.
Even Jefferson-Erie Mason, which was winless a year ago, has two wins and a tie this season.
A look at the rosters and outlooks for all of the Region teams follows.
AIRPORT
Coach: Nick Saurez, second year.
2024 Record: 17-6-1.
Returning starters: Austin Schaffner, Hudson Moore, Jackson Riggs, Corbin Derry, Nolan Ortega, Isaiah Chapdelaine, Zachary Vroman, Cooper Delano.
Other players: Jordyn Nason, Dylan Aikey, Egan Kruise, Cade Horner, Julian Barragan, Cruz Nelson, Landon Hounshell, Cole Agocs, Ryder Webb.
Season outlook: Sanders, who scored 65 goals last season, leads a talented group of returning players from a squad that won 17 games last season. Only two seniors were lost to graduation.
Coach’s comment: “With scoring power, creativity, and leadership in key positions, this group has the tools to contend for a league title and make a deep postseason run. This group is hungry, experienced, and motivated to build on last year’s success.”
BEDFORD
Coach: Brendan Wyatt, first year.
2024 Record: 8-7-2.
Returning starters: Seniors Carter Allison, Matthew Zahniser, Gus Nicholas, Brandon McCloud, Bryce McCloud, Ethan Goniea, Nathan Micua.
Other players: Juniors Brody McCloud, Maddox Oberski, Kellan Banfield, Carter Sinsel, Brendan Gallardo; sophomores Hayden Parsons, Cory Gore, Austin Mann, Jack Lestage, Mason Russell, Dylan Strong; freshman Jaxon Grochowski.
Season outlook: The Mules have a strong group of seniors returning from a team that managed a winning record last fall.
Coach’s comment: “We are grateful to have as much depth in our squad as we have this year. Looking forward to seeing what we can put together this season.”
DUNDEE
Coach: Richard Arecheja, second year.
2024 Record: 3-14.
Returning players: Seniors Luke Bishop, Braxton Ellios, John Trejo, Leeland Scott; juniors-Jaxson Arecheja, Brody Geftos, Lukas Kunder, Joe Cole; sophomores Ethan Ellis, Drew Schawb, Caiden Anderson, Jack Weslow, Nick Oliver, Daniel Serrato.
Newcomers: Freshmen Mason Cousino, Kai Hoxey, Lelyn Knisley, Will Cory, Owen Cory.
Season outlook: The Vikings have a lot of players returning from the first team in school history last season.
Coach’s comment: “This year the expectation is greater. I tell our boys ‘The honeymoon is over.’ We all need to work harder and together we can try to win some games. We have a great group of freshmen coming in.”
FLAT ROCK
Coach: Sean Sturgeon, seventh year.
2024 Record: 10-11-1.
Returning starters: Collin Dalton, Maddex Spicer, Andrew Marama, Zach Marama.
Other players: Alexander Norton, Jacob Mommerency, Joseph Inch, Cyrus Rollins, Evan Spinks, Evan Dudzinski, Cason Couture,Joel Bonk, Conner Beseler, Andrew Harkins, Caden Hounshell, Kane Wellbaum, Connor Wilde.
Season outlook: The Rams racked up 10 wins last season, but suffered heavy graduation losses.
Coach’s comment: “After a historic season we look to have another one to back it up. A lot of new faces we are getting up to speed but the team has lots of potential and the boys have shown up ready to work every day.”
GIBRALTAR CARLSON
Coach: Justin Hunter, third year.
Returning players: Seniors Joaquin Pate, Mason Spaulding, Caiden Fenech, Brayden Mantz, Connor Glover, Dominic Bongiorno, Jacob Marl; juniors Noah Jasso, Kaleb Medalla, Sammuel Posada, Kellen Irwin; sophomore Bobby Danko.
Other players: Seniors Dean Manthei, Giacomo DiCrescenzo; junior Michael Reed; freshmen Madden Buvia, Kaden Knitz, Mikey Cox, Jaxon Sladich, Ethan Baca.
Season outlook: Spaulding and Bongiorno will serve as captains for the Marauders. They are two of the nine seniors on the roster.
Coach’s comment: “We will look to play a good brand of soccer. Our goal is to challenge other schools to see if they can play with us and well as compete athletically.”
IDA
Coach: Tim Allen, ninth year.
2024 Record: 15-4.
Returning players: Seniors Alex Facyniarzs, Jaxon Bolster, Owen Harrison, Mason Reynolds, Brenner Nelson, Leo Godfrey, Cal Steinke; juniors are Weston Allen, Dane Holycross, Gavin Mocniac, and Brandon Commet.
Newcomers: Senior Ramsy Tippin; juniors Sean Krepps, Gavin Gregg; sophomores Cameron Cogan, Ryan Buuck; freshmen Thomas Dollison, Connor Waderworth.
Season outlook: Allen believes his team has a good chance to win the Lenawee County Athletic Association.
Coach’s comment: “We are missing a few key players this year, but hopefully players will step up to fill the spots. We are playing a lot of games this year that will be challenging us to our fullest.”
JEFFERSON-ERIE MASON
Coach: Bobby Smith, first year.
2024 Record: 0-18.
Returning starters: Senior Joey Peer; juniors Beau Childress, Gavin Ourlian, Jackson Vallie, Brayden Duvall.
Other players: Seniors Bradley Ganues, Moises Lopez, Xavier Sanchez, juniors Brady Hawks, Isaias Lopez.
Season outlook: Jefferson scored just 4 goals last season and gave up 164 in going winless. Smith expects the Bears to be drastically improved this fall.
Coach’s comment: “My mission is to completely change the culture of Jefferson soccer, and we do that by changing our mentality. We’re building a foundation based on God and family, and our team motto is ‘Earn Everything.’ The priority of this program is not wins and losses, but in building and mentoring amazing young men.”
MILAN
Coach: Phil Hayes, third year.
2024 Record: 12-3-4.
Returning starters: Seniors Declan Hicks, Fred Brown, Charlie Brown, Braeden Larette, Keegan Bates; sophomore Wyatt Hurd.
Other players: Seniors Dagan Reams, Christian Dionne, Andres Sanchez; juniors Landon Faro, Tanner Lambers; freshman: Colton Raasch, Hunter Neuman, Robert Gill, Caleb Furlong, Andrew Cruz.
Season outlook: The Big Reds have some rebuilding to do after winning the first Huron League title in school history last season.
Coach’s comment: “Milan still stays strong when it comes to talent game play. The boys are extremely motivated to continue their success. It should be an exciting season.”
MONROE
Coach: Ian Cooke, sixth year.
2024 Record: 13-8-2.
Returning starters: Senior Cooper Robinson; juniors Jake Steckmeyer, Edwin Sanchez, Luis Diaz, Aiden Gray, Colin Gray. Evan Ortiz.
Other players: Seniors Peyton Novak, Dawson Younglove, Jameson Schmidt, Carlos Hernandez; juniors Jack Venne. Brody Smith, Jaden Seaver; sophomores Nolan Rykse. Jaydin Hopper, Rooney Scoles, James Maylen, E.J. Murnighan, A.J. Wells.
Season outlook: The Trojans graduated one of the greatest classes of soccer players in school history. Young players will need to step into key roles.
Coach’s comment: “The team is young but brimming with talented players and should provide a stern test for their opponents. An overall winning record would be commendable given the schedule we play. With only one starting senior this team will be virtually the same for the next two years.”
NEW BOSTON HURON
Coach: Matt Lividiini, 10th year.
2024 Record: 12-5-2.
Returning starters: Seniors Ian Ankenbauer, Shayne Diegel, Mason Thomas, Jordan Stasak, Matthew Hussey, Mason Jasinski, Marton Krajcz, Ian Petrick, Johann Vasquez-Martinez.
Other players: Maverick Bazzy, Holden Kropff, Ryan Marvaso, Michael Masciovecchio, Ryan Biller, Christian Summitt.
Season outlook: Petrick, last year’s Monroe County Region Player of the Year, recently scored his 100th career goal. He is one of 12 seniors on the roster.
Coach’s comment: “After losing to the eventual state champs, Warren DeLaSalle, in regional semifinals, New Boston Huron is hungry to get back after it and make a state run themselves this season. This group is by far the deepest set of talent to pass through Huron.”
SMCC
Coach: Jon Pederson, second year.
2024 Record: 8-12.
Returning starters: Seniors Cam Cole, Joseph Lajiness, Jacob St. Pierre, Jackson Heinzerling; juniors Aaron Fowkes, AJ Duran.
Other players: Senior Tristan Denno; junior Thomas Snow; sophomores Jeffery Gessner, Spencer Shumate, Nick Vogel, Nick Bokuniewicz, Aidan Cronin, Joel Hendrick; freshmen, Carson Welker, Carson Peters, Brennen Menzies, Cal Gossiaux.
Season outlook: Pederson likes his mix of experienced upperclassmen and upcoming young talent.
Coach’s comment: “If we can stay healthy, I think we have a great shot in the post season.”
STATE LINE CHRISTIAN
Coach: Andy Yglesias, eighth year.
2024 record: 10-6-4.
Returning starters: Seniors Brandt Dyer, Ian Hendrix; juniors Brady Holmes, Jackson Baumker; sophomores, JR Hobbins, Cliff Whitenburg, Austin Nowak.
Other players: Junior Blake Woll; sophomores Brit Yglesias, Jacob Baker, Treyson Heaton, Herbie Cheedie, Luke Roth; freshmen Stevie Callejas, Garrett Powell, Tyler Braithwaite.
Season outlook: State Line graduated its top goal scorer and best defender from last year, but what was a very young squad has added a year of experience.
Coach’s comment: “This young team is going to surprise a lot of opponents this season. They are smart with the ball and play as one overall unit. I am looking forward to them accomplishing more than most expect.”
This article originally appeared on The Monroe News: Prospects for Monroe County Region boys soccer teams in 2025
Reporting by Niles Kruger, The Monroe News / The Monroe News
USA TODAY Network via Reuters Connect
