Veteran quintet anchors lineup for Medina/Lyndonville booters

Photo by Mike Wertman – Anchoring the lineup for the Medina/Lyndonville boys varsity soccer team this season is this quintet of returning starters. In front are Steven Anderson, left, and Greg Husung. In back, from left, are James Ianni, Collin Dunn and Aaron Feltz.

Facing a rebuilding job at the defensive end, the Medina/Lyndonville boys varsity soccer squad is bolstered heading into the upcoming season by the return of a solid contingent of veterans at the offensive end.

Senior forwards Steven Anderson and James Ianni, who both earned first team Niagara-Orleans All-League honors last fall, head a quintet of returning starters for the Mustangs. Medina’s top two scorers last year, Anderson had 16 goals and 5 assists and Ianni 12 goals and 16 assists.

That quintet also includes senior midfielder Aaron Feltz, junior midfielder Greg Husung and senior defender Collin Dunn.

Seniors Max Owens (forward) and Austin Owens (goalie) along with junior Colm Cooper (defender) also return with varsity experience for the Mustangs who are also looking for contributions from juniors Brian Anderson (midfielder), Josh Klotzbach (defender), Justin Morgan (goalie) and Tyler Ames (goalie) along with sophomore Vassilios Bitsas (forward) and Kristian Snyder (midfielder/defender).

“We’s got a good young group but we did lose a lot to graduation, especially on defense,” said Coach Steve Luksch who noted that those losses include goalie Adam Hoot and four of the team’s top defensive players.

In all the Mustangs graduation losses included no less than seven players who earned spots on the N-O All-League squad. Those players include first team honorees Anthony Payne (midfield) and Scott Barber (defender), second team selection Barry Rogenmoser (defender) along with honorable mention picks Hayden Allis (defender), Evan Milleville (defender) and Ben Howell (midfielder).

“Defense definitely will be the key for us because we lost so much,” said Luksch. “Up front and at midfield will be ok. The key will be can we defend.”

Medina/Lyndonville went 8-2-2 in N-O competition last fall and then put on a strong run in postseason competition capturing the Section VI Class B1 title for the second time in the last three years. The Mustangs nipped N-O foe Newfane 2-1 in overtime in the title contest to finish the season at 13-5-2.

“We have the pieces there we just have to put it together and we certainly have the group to do it,” saidLuksch. “These guys really love the game and they work hard at it.”

The Mustangs are scheduled to open the N-O season on September 3 at CSAT and then visit rival Albion on September 6.

Medina/Lyndonville will play three non league games at Lyndonville this season, the first coming on September 13 against Kendall.

Medina/Lyndonville Schedule

Sept. 3 – at CSAT, 5 p.m.
Sept. 6 – at Albion, 10 a.m.
Sept. 8 – at Wilson, 4:30 p.m.
Sept. 11 – Newfane, 4:30 p.m.
Sept. 13 – Kendall at Lyndonville, 10 a.m.
Sept. 17 – Akron, 4:30 p.m.
Sept. 19 – Byron-Bergen at Lyndonville, 4:30 p.m.
Sept. 22 – at Holley, 6:30 p.m.
Sept. 23 – Roy-Hart, 4:30 p.m.
Sept. 26 – CSAT, 4:45 p.m.
Sept. 29 – Albion, 4:30 p.m.
Oct. 2 – Wilson, 4:30 p.m.
Oct. 8 – at Newfane, 4:30 p.m.
Oct. 9 – Niagara Catholic at Lyndonville, 4:30 p.m.
Oct. 11 – at Akron, 10 a.m.
Oct. 16 at Roy-Hart, 6:30 p.m.