BADIN
The Rams have reached districts in back to back seasons and return eight starters from a squad that went 9-5-4 in 2022.
“We expect to be good if we stay healthy,” ninth-year Badin coach Eric Hickey said. “Depth is an issue.”
Senior striker Brayden Eldridge returns after scoring 20 goals last season. Manning the net is sophomore goalie Cole Parr. Other players to keep an eye on are sophomore defender Luke Hickey, junior defender Antonio Lemos, junior midfielder Rowan Brown, senior midfielder Anthony Jackman, junior midfielder Noah Ellis, senior midfielder Nick Warner and senior defender Ty Long.
CINCINNATI CHRISTIAN
The Cougars went 10-4-3 and fell to Mariemont 2-1 in overtime in the second round of the tournament last season.
CCS returns both leading scorers — seniors Matias Davalos and Xander Mays. They combined to score 23 of the teams 41 goals in 2022. Junior Michael Willis, who saw action in four games last season, is the goalkeeper. Also returning is senior Wesley Lewis, who had five goals as a junior.
EDGEWOOD
The Cougars finished 4-13 in their final season in the Southwest Ohio Conference last year. Seniors Luke Jackson (F/M) and Liam Thornsberry (M/D) return for Edgewood after scoring five goals apiece in 2022. Senior goalie Evan Hulshult is back in front of the net.
FAIRFIELD
The Indians graduated 10 seniors from a squad that went 8-7-2 in 2022. Senior Camden Blackwell, senior Sammy Davis, junior Jacob Russell, junior Jarrell Moses, sophomore Riley Cunningham and sophomore Gavin Money are players to watch for Fairfield.
HAMILTON
The Big Blue are looking to bounce back from a 1-15-1 performance a season ago. Seniors Ethan Bussell, Landen Crowthers, Cooper Parsons and Reese Parsons are players to watch for Hamilton.
LAKOTA EAST
The Thunderhawks graduated 14 seniors from a squad that went 8-9-2 in 2022. Senior Ellis Culligan, senior Justin Stidham, junior Shaun Dickerson and junior Ryan Warm are players to watch for Lakota East.
LAKOTA WEST
The Firebirds went 7-6-4 in 2022 and 6-2-1 in the Greater Miami Conference last season. Senior Brady Beneteau, senior Brayden Benner, senior John Banks, junior Tyson Hagaman, sophomore Ryan Boyd, sophomore Garret Marchand and sophomore Logan Mazey are players to watch for Lakota West.
MADISON
The Mohawks finished 4-11-3 last season. Players to watch for Madison include senior Jaxson Shelly (D/M), junior Brad Patterson (GK/M), junior Jason Chupka (D/M), sophomore Cooper Bryan (D/M), sophomore Gus Growcock (D/M), sophomore Alden Graham (D) freshman Wyatt Benson (F/M).
MIDDLETOWN
The Middies graduated 16 players from a team that finished 8-9-1 in 2022. Juniors Connor Murphy (F) and Noah Soppanish (GK) are players to watch for Middletown.
MONROE
Senior and leading scorer Tyler Gannon returns to the pitch for the Hornets, who won the Southwestern Buckeye League East Division with a 12-3-2 overall (5-1-2 SWBL) record last year. Gannon (M) had 15 goals in 2022. Other players to keep an eye on for Monroe include senior Ty Gronostaj (M), senior Selleck Burggraf (GK), senior Ashton Kuss (M), senior Evan Wills (M) and sophomore Zachary Oborne (M).
ROSS
The Rams won the Southwest Ohio Conference title four years in a row before leaving for the Southwestern Buckeye League this season. Ross finished 10-4-4 in 2022.
“This year is so different than all the others because this team is closer than anyone team I have ever coached,” sixth-year coach Kayla Bush said. “They all want everyone to succeed, and they will do anything for each other.”
Sophomore forward Anthony Doria, senior defenseman Luke Dunn, junior goalkeeper Carson Sabers and senior goalkeeper Sam Davidson are players to watch for the Rams.
TALAWANDA
The Brave graduated the Southwest Ohio Conference’s second-leading scorer from a season ago in Logan Kent, who knocked in 19 goals. Talawanda went 5-12 in 2022. Senior Steve Mullally is a player to watch for the Brave this season.
