Medina will host rival Albion in N-O League boys soccer opener Thursday

By Mike Wertman, Sports Writer Posted 2 September 2025 at 9:31 am

Photo by Cheryl Wertman – Veteran members of the Medina soccer team include, in front, Caden Kingsbury, Jimmy Dieter, Aidan Papaj, Gavin Dahlhaus and Austin Guido. In back are Aleks Seefeldt, Briley Allen, Landon Costich and Luke Duffina. Missing are Vinny Gray and Ryan Pegelow.

Anchored by a large veteran group, Medina will begin Niagara-Orleans League boys soccer competition against rival Albion at 7 p.m. Thursday at Vets Park,

Leading the Mustangs veteran contingent are seniors Luke Duffina (Midfield/Defense), Vinny Gray (Forward/Midfield), Jimmy Dieter (Forward/Midfield), Caden Kingsbury (Forward) and Ryan Pegelow (Defense) along with juniors Aleks Seefeldt (Forward/Midfield), Aidan Papaj (Midfield) and Gavin Dahlhaus (Defense). Also returning are senior Briley Allen, Landon Costich and Austin Guido.

Gray, Duffina and Papaj all earned second team N-O All-League honors last fall while Seefeldt was an Honorable Mention selection.

Juniors Cam Fike and River Jones will share the goalkeeping duties.

The Mustangs graduation losses included first team All-League honorees Cole Callard (44 goals), goalie Brady Christiaansen and defender Trenton Morley along with second team honoree forward Tyler Kroening (17 goals) and Honorable Mention selection defender Cam Kenward.

“The key to our season will be patience,” said Coach Steve Luksch. “We lost some key guys to graduation, but I feel we have a nice mix of returners and new guys. But it might take some time to hit our full potential. Our goal will be to be playing our best soccer down the final stretch of the season.”

Medina went 7-2-1 and Albion 7-3 in N-O competition last fall.