BEREA, Ohio – The Baldwin Wallace University men's soccer led by veteran head coach Reid Ayers have their sights set toward the Ohio Athletic Conference playoffs, as the 2021 season kicks off in less than a week.
Last season, BW finished with an overall record of 3-4-2 and a record of 2-3-1 in the OAC during its conference only 2021 spring season. Ayers returns 16 letterwinners, including six seniors, 10 juniors, and four sophomores, and brings in one new senior and 18 freshmen.
The team was voted to finish eight in the conference by OAC coaches in the preseason coaches' poll. The Yellow Jackets were tabbed to finish eight with 28 points. John Carroll, who won the conference in the spring, was selected first with 81 points and nine first-place votes. Marietta follows the Blue Streaks with 70 points and one first-place vote, Ohio Northern, Wilmington, and Capital round out the top five.
A young attacking group will be led by sophomore Michael Tusick (Strongsville). The group also features seniors Matt Begin (Springfield, Mass./Ludlow) and Peter Petri (Toronto, Ontario, CANADA/Senator O'Connor) and juniors Academic All-OAC Nick Telisman (Wickliffe) and Shaheen Ghahremani (Streetsboro). Looking to make an immediate impact will be freshmen Mason Morris (Lewis Center/Olentangy Berlin), AJ Deleonibus (Pittsburgh, Pa./Shaler Area), and Evan Scott (Powell/Olentangy Liberty).
A veteran group in the midfield will look to assist the attacking group and control the field. They will be led by senior Nick Surowicz (Medina/Highland). Surowicz led the team in the spring with three goals and six points. Looking to make key contributions will be seniors Academic All-OAC Attila Nagy Jr. (Lakewood), Dylan Keeling (Rocky River), and Jason Lambert (Baden, Pa./Ambridge), juniors Academic All-OAC Brandon Garibotti (Berea/Berea-Midpark), Kyle Eddy (Lewis Center/Olentangy), and Andras Fabian (Hinckley/Highland), sophomores Alex Gibson (Olmsted Township/Olmsted Falls), Julian Kieres (Lakewood), Anthony Cora (North Olmsted/Benedict), and Miles Thomas (Munroe Falls/Stow-Munroe Falls). The freshman eyeing to contribute will be Tommy Buser (Akron/Revere), Ben Wilson (Aurora), Brandon Eddy (Lewis Center/Olentangy), Nick Manivilovski (Delaware/Olentangy), and Colin Robinson (Hilliard/Bishop Watterson).
A young back line will look up to senior Academic All-OAC Trevor Hamm (Strongsville). Sharing in the leadership role will be juniors Academic All-OAC Zach Hoover (Chagrin Falls) and Alek Klek (Olmsted Falls). Fortifying the group will be freshmen Nick Young (Wadsworth), Josh Kazyak (Howell, Mich./Hartland), Jason Heisler (Saline, Mich.), Colin McGlinch (Livonia, Mich./Steveson), and Andrew Chase (Collierville, Tenn./Harding Academy).
In the net, BW feature three returning goalkeepers. Juniors Academic All-OAC Matt Weaver (Ontario), Academic All-OAC Nolan Kellogg (Strongsville), and JT Brenneman (Willoughby/Wickliffe) will be vying for minutes. Weaver led the team to an 1-1-1 overall record with 27 saves and one shutout. Brenneman led the team to a 1-2 record with 23 saves and one shutout. Adding into the competition will be freshmen Zoltan Nagy (Lakewood/St. Edward) and Matt Beck (Twinsburg/Gilmour Academy).
BW kicks off at home on Wednesday, September 1 at 7:00 pm on Tressel Field inside George Finnie Stadium. OAC plays begins on Saturday, October 2 as the Yellow Jackets host Capital University.
