By Tyler F. Thompson (For OzarksSportsZone.com)
For Marshfield High School boys soccer head coach Thomas Searson, having a “core group of seniors” is a nice precursor for success this fall.
Marshfield authored a 12-11 record last season, falling 3-0 to Springfield-Catholic in opening-round action of the Class 3, District 5 tournament.
The Blue Jays graduated seven players, five of whom were regular starters, from last year’s club.
But Searson, who enters his 11th season, and the boys in blue return seven to the fold this season: five of whom are seniors.
“We have a core group of seniors who have been with us since their freshmen year. We have five who have played together since they were younger,” Searson said. “They have been pretty strong this summer with leadership roles. That core group of five is a big positive I am seeing.”
Those five being Connor Bixler (2nd Team All-Big 8 in ‘21); Joe Harles, Michael Mann; Asher Adams (Big 8 honorable mention); and Kelby Hyder.
The Blue Jays’ reserve players logged solid time last season and will be looked upon as another line of attack this year.
“Easton Arthur is going to be a junior and will be coming back as a starter,” added Searson. “Ronin Adams is a junior who has started for us the last couple of years. We return those seven, and another name is Isaac West (midfielder/forward) — he will be getting more minutes than he did last year and will be another key piece for us.”
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Gone is goalkeeper Mathew Derecichei: “He was a solid keeper for us for four years,” said Searson.
Sophomore Kevin Jones now will suit up full time in the box.
“Kevin is one of the hardest working keepers I have had on my roster,” Searson said. “
Two players on the defensive side will be missed, Searson said. An influx of younger players will receive solid looks this fall.
“We graduated two key defenders in Justin Hanson and Isaac Moon,” Searson said.
Last season, the team netted 37 goals and allowed one fewer.
Below is a quick rundown of those to keep an eye on this fall.
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Players to watch
First, the returning senior class: Joe Harles (forward and defender); Kelby Hyder (forward and defender); Asher Adams (forward and center-mid); Michael Mann (midfield) and Connor Bixler (forward and center-mid).
Up close with the offense
“Connor Bixler was our leading goal scorer with 16 goals and 7 assists. Connor has a great touch on the ball and good field awareness,” Searson said. “Asher Adams scored 8 last season, along with a few assists, and has a lot of speed and applies great pressure on opposing defenders. Kelby Hyder and Joe Harles are also strong offensive weapons, but we have moved them around a little bit to help us defensively. Both have great physical presence on the field. I look for Kelby and Joe both to pick up more goals this season. Eason Arthur, Isaac West, and Austin Hoffman are all juniors who will be looking to make more of a mark on the offensive end this season.”
The midfield attack
“Michael Mann will be returning for us in the midfield. Michael is a versatile player, and I can really use him anywhere we need him. I’m anticipating him being a strong defensive presence in the midfield for us and to help us get on the attack,” Searson said.
Defensively:
“He’s a passionate player and a hard worker. He will continue to improve over the next three years,” Searson said of Jones. “Ronin Adams will be the sole starting returner in our defense. Ronin has improved every year and as a junior will be called upon to take more of a leadership role in the back. He will need to take over that leadership since we graduated Justin Hanson. We will be trying out some younger guys in the defense this year and hope to see some guys step up to fill those roles.”
The freshman class
I’m excited about the incoming freshmen class this year. There’s some real potential in the guys we saw this summer at training sessions,” concluded Searson. “With graduating so many last year, we have some holes to fill, and it very well may be freshmen stepping into those spots.”
The Jays will play New Covenant, Greenwood, and Logan-Rogersville at the Aug. 19 preseason jamboree at Greenwood.
