SPENCERVILLE – Losing five seniors from a nine win team and putting forth a winning campaign isn’t an easy thing to do but that is exactly what Josh Van Gorder will be tasked with for 2021 as his squad navigates both the NWC and WOSL.
“Last year we set records in almost every offensive statistical category so I feel like our program is on the rise” Van Gorder stated on the outlook for the upcoming campaign.
Among the key departures from 2020 the Bearcats said goodbye to starting keeper Dominic Adkins who along with classmates Evan Core and Gabe Schwartz made up the bulk of the Spencerville captaincy. Fellow seniors Noah Kimmet and Isaac Shellenbarger will also look to be replaced by the youth movement of 11 incoming players who will call the turf at Memorial Field home.
Van Gorder, the 2020 Western Ohio Soccer League coach of the year brings a career record of 15-30-5 overall record following a 9-6-3 mark a season ago on the way to a pair of third place finishes in the NWC (3-2), and WOSL (4-2-1).
Leading the Spencerville attack this season will be the high scoring duo of junior Will Gallaspie and senior captain Joel Van Gorder who combined for over 40 goals with Gallaspie tallying a school record 27 markers on his way to a pair of first team honors.
Van Gorder was named to second team in both leagues and was joined by returners Emerson Layman (Jr, 2nd NWC/1st WOSL), and Tyler Kaverman (Jr, HM NWC/HM WOSL).
Juniors Ryan Kaverman, Carter Ringwald, Josh Henline, Jaren Binkley, and Josh Watkins will look to expand their roles this season and help the team achieve success alongside the five man sophomore class of Tyler Kaverman, Braxton McMichael, Brennan Lehman, and Beau Miller who all received various playing time in their first season last year.
After an opening round 2-1 tournament win over Temple Christian the Bearcats saw their season come to a halt as they were defeated by eventual district winner Continental 6-0.
“We look to continue to improve as our program grows and are excited to be much more competitive in the NWC” remarked Van Gorder.
| Day | Date | Time | Location | Opponent | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Tuesday | 8/24 | 7:00 | Home | Ft. Jennings | |
| Monday | 8/30 | 7:00 | Home | Bluffton* | |
| Thursday | 9/2 | 7:00 | Home | Jackson Center | |
| Tuesday | 9/7 | 5:00 | Away | Lincolnview* | |
| Thursday | 9/9 | 5:00 | Away | Sidney Fairlawn | |
| Tuesday | 9/14 | 5:00 | Home | Botkins | |
| Thursday | 9/16 | 7:00 | Away | St. Marys | |
| Tuesday | 9/21 | 7:00 | Home | Miller City | |
| Thursday | 9/23 | 7:00 | Home | Lima Senior | |
| Thursday | 9/30 | 5:00 | Away | New Knoxville | |
| Monday | 10/4 | 7:00 | Away | Ada* | |
| Thursday | 10/7 | 7:00 | Away | Lima Central Catholic | |
| Monday | 10/11 | 5:00 | Away | Allen East* | |
| Tuesday | 10/12 | 7:00 | Home | Lima Temple Christian | |
| Thursday | 10/14 | 7:00 | Home | Cory-Rawson |