Mustangs prep for N-O soccer title defense
Photos by Cheryl Wertman – Returning first team All-League honorees Jack Whipple, left, and Nate Dillenbeck, who are shown here in action during games last fall, will help lead Medina/Lyndonville into the defense of the Mustangs Niagara-Orleans League title this fall.
Boasting a large returning contingent which includes seven All-League team honorees, the Medina/Lyndonville boys soccer squad is getting set to defend its Niagara-Orleans League title.
The Mustangs went 9-1 last fall (14-3 overall) to edge out 8-2 Roy-Hart for the title.
Senior forward Nate Dillenbeck and junior defender Jack Whipple, who both earned first team N-O All-League honors last fall, lead the Mustangs veteran contingent. Dillenbeck, who was named N-O Player of the Year, scored a team high 19 goals and added 8 assists.
The Mustangs also return a quartet of second team N-O All-League honorees including junior goalie Zach Fike, senior forward Dan Mandujano, senior midfielder AJ Seefeldt and senior defender Casey Winiecki. Senior midfielder Russ Stephens also earned Honorable Mention. Mandujano had 12 goals and 4 assists, Stephens 5 goals and 2 assists and Seefeldt 4 goals and 7 assists.
The Mustangs veteran group also includes seniors Anthony Moule, Alex Barry and Jack Rutkowski on defense and Jacob Corser, Ricky Wood, Sebastian Ziempe and Miles Hartway at midfield. along with juniors Cole Seefeldt and Roman Heinsler at midfield and Zarie Boyce and Aidam Owczarczak on defense.
Juniors up from the JV ranks who look to contribute include Connor Bell, Sam Kingsbury and Evan Harris.
Two members of the Mustangs varsity football team, whose season has been postponed until March, Brian Fry and Jarin Rhim, are also looking for spots on the roster.
“We’ve got experience and talent across the board and we’re pretty deep,” said Coach Steve Luksch. “I think having most everyone back and the continuity that gives us since they have a lot of experience playing together really gives us an advantage. We’re looking to hit the ground running. Our goals are to defend our league title and make some noise in sectionals.”
The Mustangs graduation losses included first team All-Leaguers midfielder Nate Sherman (7 goals, 4 assists) and defender Evan Horn along with forward Oskar Heinsler, midfielders Jonathan Slingerland and Devin Rounds, defenders Wes Hughes and Hunter Heil and goalie Cooper Fearby.
The Mustangs are slated to begin their title defense at home on October 5 against Wilson.
Schedule:
October: 5 – Wilson, 7 p.m.; 7 – Newfane, 7 p.m.; 10 – at Roy-Hart, 12 p.m.; 14 – Akron, 7 p.m.; 16 – at Albion, 6:45 p.m.; 23 – at Wilson, 4:30 p.m.; 28 – at Newfane, 4:30 p.m.; 30 – Roy-Hart, 7 p.m.; 31 – at Akron, 11 a.m.
November: 5 – Albion, 4:30 p.m.
