There are some new things for the Guerin Catholic boys soccer team this season.
First is a new coach, Chris McGrath. He will lead the Golden Eagles into a new IHSAA class: Guerin will play in Class 3A in the first year of the re-classified soccer tournament. GC is a 2A school by enrollment, but the Golden Eagles elected to play up to 3A in both boys and girls soccer.
McGrath said he is excited to be working with this Guerin Catholic team, which won back-to-back 1A state titles in 2013 and 2014.
“We have a nice blend of talented players; some new and pushing hard, some moving up from our junior varsity program, and others with more experience who are ready for a new challenge,” said McGrath.
A big returner is senior Andrew Garvey, who played for the Golden Eagles on the 2014 state championship team as a freshman. The midfielder Garvey is by far the leading scorer from last season, when he had 11 goals and five assists.
Guerin Catholic has a solid core of seniors coming back this season: Forward Noah DeWaal, midfielders Isaac Cloran, Matt Crandley, Jack Haddad and Shane Johnson, as well as defenders Austin Boyer, Jack Hagel and Patrick Koehl. Another returning defender is junior Drake Daly, while junior Joe Schmid is back in the midfield.
The Golden Eagles open their season Thursday at Northwestern, a traditionally strong team. Guerin will again play a strong schedule to prepare for its now 3A sectional. It will be a difficult sectional, featuring Brebeuf Jesuit, Carmel, North Central, Pike, Westfield and Zionsville.
“But our team aspires to something greater and we feel that if you want to be the best, you need to play the best,” said McGrath. “Therefore we’re looking forward to working hard during the regular season.”
ROSTER
Seniors: Austin Boyer, Isaac Cloran, Matt Crandley, Noah DeWaal, Andrew Garvey, Jack Haddad, Jack Hagel, Shane Johnson, Patrick Koehl, Will Oberndoerfer, Chad Oblazney.
Juniors: Carson Burton, Drake Daly, Joe Schmid.
Sophomores: James Boulos, Daniel Cloran, Jack Geise, Sam Grocki.
Freshmen: Joseph LaFiosca, Ethan Thornburg.
SCHEDULE
Aug. 17: at Northwestern, 7:30 p.m.
Aug. 22: Heritage Christian, 7 p.m.
Aug. 26: Brebeuf Jesuit, 1:30 p.m.
Aug. 29: Brownsburg, 5:30 p.m.
Aug. 31: at West Lafayette, 7 p.m.
Sept. 2: Bishop Chatard, noon
Sept. 5: at Roncalli, 7 p.m.
Sept. 12: at Cathedral, 7 p.m.
Sept. 14: Avon, 5 p.m.
Sept. 16: Bishop Luers, 11:30 a.m.
Sept. 21: at McCutcheon, 7 p.m.
Sept. 23: at Zionsville Classic, times TBA
Sept. 25: at University, 4:45 p.m.
Sept. 26: Lafayette Central Catholic, 5:30 p.m.
Sept. 28: Fishers, 6:30 p.m.