Mustang booters face rebuilding task

By Mike Wertman, Sports Writer Posted 28 August 2017 at 6:58 am

Photo by Mike Wertman – Anchoring the lineup for the Medina/Lyndonville boys varsity soccer team this season will be this group of returnees. In front are Trenton Jones and Matt Hess. In back are Andrew Houseman, Ethan Leonard, Nate Sherman and Alex Allis.

Having lost 16 seniors to graduation the Medina/Lyndonville boys soccer team is in a bit of a rebuilding mode heading into Thursday’s Niagara-Orleans League season opener at Akron.

Midfielders Ethan Leonard, a senior, and Matt Hess a junior, head the Mustangs veteran group which also includes seniors Alex Allis (forward), Trevor Hare (midfield), Trenton Jones (forward), Connor Miller (midfield), Owen Frasier (defender), Norm McDonald (defender), junior Andrew Houseman (midfield) and sophomore Nate Sherman (midfield).

Leonard earned first team N-O All-League honors last season and Hess received Honorable Mention.

The Mustangs roster also includes senior Renee Masters (defender); juniors Ray Paull (goalie), Evan Silversmith (defender), Jon Pietrafesa (defender), Caelin Holland (midfield), Kody Leno (midfield), Noah Heinsler (defender), Brandon Heschke (defender), Chase Stinson (midfield), Mark MacDonald (midfield), Chase Woodward (defender); sophomore Evan Horn (defender) and freshman AJ Seefeldt.

“We’ve got a lot of young talent they are just inexperienced and that is the biggest issue,” said Coach Steve Luksch. “We’ve got a lot of new guys so we’re working to get better as the season goes on. The inexperience is the big thing.”

The Mustangs graduation losses include forward Kristian Snyder, who set a team record with 27 goals last season.

Medina/Lyndonville went 4-6 in the league and 12-7 overall last season.

Schedule
August: 31 – at Akron, 4:30 p.m.

September: 1 – Oracle, 4:30 p.m. at Lyndonville; 5 – at Tonawanda, 5 p.m.; 11 – at Newfane, 4:30 p.m.; 13 – Roy-Hart, 4:30 p.m. at Lyndonville; 16 – at Albion, 10 a.m.; 19 – Wilson, 4:30 p.m.; 21 – at Roy-Hart, 6:30 p.m.; 22 – MST Prep, 4:15 p.m.; 25 – Akron, 4:45 p.m.; 26 – Keshequa, 4:30 p.m.; 29 – Global Concepts, 4:30 p.m.

October: 4 – Newfane, 4:30 p.m.; 5 – at Oracle, 4:45 p.m.; 10 – Albion, 4:30 p.m.; 12 – at Wilson, 4:30 p.m.