A year after one of the best seasons since Cassville boys soccer began, the Wildcats are hungry for more.
Jake Forste, Cassville soccer coach entering his eighth season at the helm, said the potential this season is massive.
‘We return 56 goals out of the 85 we scored from last year’s team, so we feel pretty good about our offense going into the year,’ he said. ‘Numbers of 85 goals scored and 3.47 goals per game were both 15-year statistical highs for Cassville soccer. Despite registering some lofty offensive numbers last fall, I think it is possible we are even better in the offensive categories in the upcoming season.’
Leading the team will be a bevy of returners, most of whom are juniors or sophomores. Juniors include forward and mid Diego Haros, forward Cayden Rohde and defender Kaid Williams.
‘Diego led the Big 8 in assists as a sophomore with 23,’ Forste said. ‘He also scored 16 goals and played all over the field for us last year. I think he is one of the top players in the area and will contend for most valuable player in the Big 8 Conference this fall. He’ll be a big part of our success in 2024. Cayden scored 14 goals and registered 5 assists in his sophomore season last year. He is extremely quick and highly successful attacking the wide 1v1s. He will continue to be a force up top for us this fall.
‘Kaid can play anywhere on the field but thrived as a center back for us last fall. He is a phenomenal defender and will be our leader on the back line. We will lean on Kaid’s leadership this season as the anchor of our defense.’
Returning sophomores include forward and mid David Rehbach, and forward and mid Christian Burgos.
‘David was primarily an attacking midfielder for us last fall (6 goals, 5 assists),’ Forste said. ‘He is an excellent playmaker and a technician with the ball on his foot. We are looking forward to double-digit goals and assists from David this fall. Christian scored 7 goals and had 4 assists in his freshman campaign. He is a gifted player who can excel in both central and wide attacking roles. He was one of several full-time starters as a freshman who we’ll look to lean on in his sophomore season.’
A varied group of other key returners are smattered across the back and midfield lines.
‘Diego Ibarra and Hugh Thao, both sophomore midfielders, each registered 20-plus starts as freshmen,’ Forste said. ‘The wide back trio of sophomore Noah Driskill, sophomore Zeb Blankenship and senior Cody Peterson round out our defensive returners. These three played key minutes on last year’s back line which allowed a stingy 1.3 goals against average. In goal, we will feature a new keeper this fall. We currently have a competition between senior Jarrett Hinson, junior newcomer Logan Wingo and freshman Cylas Austin.’
New players for the Wildcats this fall include sophomore Mason Rillstone at center back and forward; freshman Preston Driskill at forward and midfield; freshmen defenders Jackson Winfrey, Daniel Frazier and Marshall Lakey, as well as sophomore defenders Aiden Mendoza and Rylen Holman.
With the mix of experience and new faces, Forste said the Wildcats are setting up for what could be a few years of sustained success.
‘Our 15 wins last year were the most for the program since 2008,’ he said. ‘In addition to wins, we set 51-year high marks in goals allowed (1.30), as well as goals scored (3.47). We return most of last year’s lineup and are looking to push our attacking output closer to 4 goals per game this fall. We have high expectations as a team and look forward to competing at a high level in both the conference and district playoffs.’
Cassville fell to eventual Class 2 runner-up Logan-Rogersville, 8-0, in the district semifinals last season. The Wildcats open the season on Aug. 27 with a Jamboree in McDonald County against the Mustangs and Aurora.
The home opener is Sept. 10 against Lighthouse Christian at 4:30 p.m.
