Ryan Murken

Your Prep Sports

City High

Coach: Jose Michel Fajardo (15^th season)

Assistant coaches: Ben Steve, Frenando Pacheco, Sarrive Rukakiza

Last season: 11-6

Returning letterwinners: Vincent Johnson, Jr., D; James Tinkham, Sr., D; Thomas Ksobiech, Jr., MF; Aaron Rutherford, Sr., MF; Andrew Lopez, Jr., D; Ben Horwitz, Sr., MF; Owen Griffin, Sr., D; Jacob Eisenberg, Sr., MF; Alima Mmunga, Jr., MF; Barick Makabi, Jr., MF; Kongolo Mwenemkamba, Sr., GK; Emmitt Hansen, Jr., D; Delmer Medina, Soph., MF; Jerry Mwenemkamba, Jr., MF

Newcomers to watch: Malachi Nye, Sr, GK; Joel Eckhart, Jr., D; Alfredo Ortiz, Sr., MF; Josh Borger-Germann, Fr., MF; Jack Dancer, Fr., D; Jonah Bowen-Burt, Fr., MF; Aurelien Kunangika, Sr., GK

Headliner: Seniors Ben Horwitz and Aaron Rutherford were both first team all-Mississippi Valley Conference divisional picks last season and are three-year varsity contributors that will lead the way for the Little Hawks.

Keep an eye on: Junior Emmitt Hansen was a second team all-MVC divisional pick last season in his first varsity season and should be even better this spring with a year of experience under his belt.

Circle the date: May 17 at Liberty High. City High closes the regular season at its cross-town rival after falling to the Lightning in penalty kick in last year’s regular season finale.

Breakdown: City High was solid last season going 11-6 and advancing to the substate title game but was close to much more with four losses by a single goal, including two in overtime and two to 3A state champion Pleasant Valley.

With a strong group of returners back the talent and experience is in place for the Little Hawks to make a big step forward in 2022.

Horwitz, Rutherford and Hansen join James Tinkham, Alima Mmunga and Kongolo Mwenemkamba as returning MVC all-divisional selections for the Little Hawks which are seeking their first state tournament appearance since 2018.

Liberty High

Coach: Sonny Travis (3^rd season)

Assistant coaches: Chris Arnold, Zach Armstrong, Gamar Albashsir

Last season: 9-8 (5-5 MVC)

Returning starters: Amah Ajavon, Sr., F; Izzy Dykstra, Sr., F; Flori Gembo, Sr., F; Joslin Gembo, Sr., MF; Jaxyn Logan, Sr., GK; Aiden Maher, Soph., D; Zachary Nielson, Jr., D; Cooper Saul, Soph., D; Forrest Saul, Jr., D; Hayden Saul, Jr., MF

Other returning letterwinners: Quinn Cleary, Soph., MF; Jack Henderson, Jr., D; Tanner Knight, Jr., D; Quinn Lawrence, Soph., D; Jose Solorio-Estrada, Jr., F; Wasso Swedi, Jr., F; Logan Nelson, Sr., MF; Aiden Maher, Soph., D; Zachary Nielson, Jr., D

Newcomers to watch: Roman Riggs, Fr., MF

Headliner: Senior Jaxyn Logan is entering his third season as the starter in goal for the Lightning and has emerged as one of the top keepers in the MVC earning first team all-division honors last season while making 110 saves on a 76 save percentage.

Keep an eye on: Junior Hayden Saul led the Lightning in scoring last season with eight goals and added two assists while being named a first team all-MVC divisional pick.

Circle the date: April 12 vs. West High. The first major test of the season for the Lightning comes at home against cross-town rival and defending 3A runner-up West High.

Breakdown: The Lightning went 9-8 last season including a 5-5 mark in MVC play and with 10 starters back from that squad should be poised to improve on those numbers this season.

Hayden Saul and senior Amah Ajavon combined for 12 goals and four assists last season and should give a solid scoring punch along with Flori Gembo who had six goals and seven assists a year ago.

Seniors Izzy Dykstra, Joslin Gembo juniors Forrest Saul and Zachary Nielson and sophomores Aiden Mahe and Cooper Saul are all back with starting experience.

Clear Creek Amana

Coach: Tim Benson (11^th season)

Assistant coaches: Chad Streit, Jake Sedlacek, Wes Quinlan, Jackson Rosenberg

Last season: 12-5 (5-1 WAMAC)

Returning starters: Gunther Sandersfeld, Sr., D; Gabe Bormann, Jr., MF; Grant Kruse, Sr., MF

Other returning letterwinners: Hunter Schau, Sr., MF; Parker Nelson, Sr., D; Moumen Bushra, Jr., F; Evan Streit, Soph., MF

Newcomers to watch: Zach Christiansen, Jr., MF; Eli Mallicoat, Jr., D; Gijs van der Vegt, Sr., D; Ference Mudra, Sr., F; Cam Rummelhart, Sr., MF; Drew Streit, Jr., GK; Gage Holmes, Jr., D; Brady Grafft, Jr., D; Jackson George, Jr., MF; Shaun Stokes, Sr., F; Max Carlson, Jr., MF; Cale Dawson, Sr., GK/MF

Headliner: Senior Gunther Sandersfeld was a first team all-WAMAC West Division selection last season as a defender and scored a goal and had two assists.

Keep an eye on: Junior Gabe Bormann will look to step into one of the main scoring spots in the Clipper attack after scoring two goals while leading the team with seven assists last season.

Circle the date: April 11 vs. Marion. The Clippers get a strong early season barometer when they host 2021 state qualifier and defending WAMAC East Division champ Marion.

Breakdown: Clear Creek Amana must replace its top three scorers and starting keepers from a team that won 12 matches and went 5-1 in conference play but has a roster capable of once again making noise in the WAMAC West.

Sandersfeld leads what is always a stingy Clipper defense while Bormann expects to slot into more of a scoring role this spring along with senior midfielder Grant Kruse who ranked second on the team with six assists a year ago.

Seniors Hunter Schau and Parker Nelson will look to take steps forward this season after seeing action a year ago along with junior Moumen Bushra and sophomore Evan Streit.

Solon

Coach: Jeremy McMurrin (18^th season)

Assistant coaches: Eyasu Russell

Last season: 13-6 (3-2 WAMAC)

Returning starters: Dillon Bruck, Sr., F/MF; Nate Ferguson, Sr., D; Ethan McLaughlin, Sr., D; William Wittich, Sr., MF; Garrett Swan, Jr., D; Owen Erusha, Sr., MF; Logan Sieverding, Sr., D; Josiah Hale, Soph., MF; John Peters, Sr., GK

Other returning letterwinners: Gabe Hinman, Sr., MF; Lewis Sutton, Jr., MF; Bryan Petrie, Soph., D; Nate Shafer, Jr., MF; Drew Johnson, Jr., D; Eli Freerks, Soph., MF

Newcomers to watch: Keegan Conway, Fr., MF; Caleb Bock, Fr., MF; Zander Stookey, Fr., GK; Landon Hummel, Sr., GK; Evan Burg, Fr., MF; Nick Medin, Jr., F

Headliner: Senior Dillon Bruck is one of the top returning scorers in the WAMAC conference after scoring 20 goals and adding five assists last season.

Keep an eye on: Senior William Wittich earned second team all-WAMAC East Division honors last season after ranking second on the team with six assists and scoring five goals.

Circle the date: March 31 vs. Regina. After an epic penalty kick loss to the Regals in the substate finals a season ago Solon hosts perennial 1A power Regina in one of the best early season games in the state.

Breakdown: Solon has lost in the substate title game each of the past three seasons but with nine starters returning from a 13-win team from a year ago has its sights set on getting past that pivotal point this spring.

Bruck and Wittich give the Spartans a potent scoring combination and headline a list of five returning players that scored multiple goals last season.

The Spartans are among the more experienced teams in the WAMAC this season with seniors

Nate Ferguson (4 assists), Ethan McLaughlin, Owen Erusha (1 assist, 1 goal), Logan Sieverding (3 goals, 2 assists) and John Peters (49 saves) all returning with starting experience along with Wittich and Bruck.

Senior Gabe Hinman (2 goals, 1 assist) and sophomore Eli Freerks (4 goals, 2 assists) both return with experience. Along with junior Garrett Swan and sophomore Josiah Hale who were both starters a year ago.

West Branch

Coach: Ted Miller

Last season: 11-2

Returning starters: Peyton Miller, Sr., F; Gage Gingerich, Sr., F; Luis Hinkhouse, Sr., MF; Cameron Gingerich, Soph., F; Joe Hamann, Soph., F; Lincoln Edwards, Soph., D.

Other returning letterwinners: Gavin Hills, Sr., GK/D; Jaxson Kaalberg, Jr., D; Aiden Shields, Jr., F; Cooper Burger, Soph., MF; Trenton Schutte, Soph., MF

Newcomers to watch: Cole Crosthwaite, Fr.; Eli Hansen, Fr.; Dilan Kazlauskas, Fr.; Elliot Hinkhouse, Fr.; Jarrett Ellyson, Fr., Logan Wright, Fr.; Nate Hills, Fr.; Reed Brooke, Fr., Sullivan Brooke, Fr., Tate Frantz, Fr., Timmy Hosier, Fr., Braydn Sexton, Soph.; Izaiah Hansen, Soph.; Reese Druecker, Soph.; Reese Trepanier, Soph., Shae Farmer, Soph.; Cash Woody, Sr.; Quin Hayden, Sr.; Thomas Gould, Sr.

Headliner: Senior Peyton Miller emerged as one of the most dynamic scorers in the state last season averaging better than three goals per match while finishing second across all classes with 40 goals.

Keep an eye on: Senior Gage Gingerich ranked second on the team with 12 goals and nine assists last season while also doubling as a regular on the West Branch state championship golf team.

Circle the date: April 18 vs. West Liberty. One of only two teams to beat the Bears last season the Comets come to West Branch in April in what could be a battle of ranked teams.

Breakdown: After posting a solid 7-5 record in its first varsity season the Bears took a big step forward last spring going 11-2 and falling to Solon in a 1A substate semifinal.

With players responsible for 65 of the Bears’ 66 goals last season returning including a group of six starters expectations within the program are even higher entering 2022.

Miller and Gage Gingerich lead the way but are surrounded by returning talent.

Sophomores Joe Hamann (9 goals, 4 assists) and Cameron Gingerich (3 goals, 2 assists) both return after starting last season along with sophomore defender Lincoln Edwards and senior midfielder Luis Hinkhouse (6 assists).

West Branch must replace departed senior keeper Cael Fiderlein but will have a number of candidates ready to step up in goal.

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