A year after posting a 12-3-4 record and advancing to the district final before suffering a heartbreaking double-overtime defeat, the Lake Catholic Boys Soccer team enters the 2026 season facing a familiar challenge: replacing an accomplished senior class while maintaining one of Northeast Ohio’s most consistent soccer programs.
Head coach Kevin Pitorak begins his ninth season with a roster featuring just five returning starters, but the cupboard is far from bare. Seven additional returning letterwinners provide valuable varsity experience, giving the Cougars confidence they can remain among the area’s top contenders.
“We have a lot of new faces, but it should be another good year,” Pitorak said.
The graduation losses were significant, yet Lake Catholic believes its next wave is ready.
“We graduated a strong senior class,” Pitorak said. “We have some young players that we’re confident can step in and get the job done.”
Help Ohio Varsity Tell More Stories
Ohio Varsity is independently owned and provides local coverage of high school athletes, teams and communities throughout Northeast Ohio.
One-time and monthly donations available through PayPal.
Senior Leadership Sets the Standard
While several new contributors will emerge, Lake Catholic’s veteran core gives the Cougars a strong foundation.
Everything begins with senior midfielder Gavyn Fredriks, one of the area’s premier all-around players. After producing 10 goals and five assists while earning First Team All-North Coast Conference and First Team All-Greater Cleveland honors, Fredriks returns as the centerpiece of the attack.
Pitorak believes Fredriks impacts every phase of the game.
“Gavyn is a dynamic player who can play any position on the field,” he said. “He can finish, distribute, dribble and defend. Put simply, he’s a tough and gritty defender as well as a high-quality playmaker. One of the most talented players in the area, Gavyn should have a spectacular senior year.”
The midfield also features junior Drew Frame, whose consistency allows the Cougars to control matches from the center of the field.
“Drew is a driving force in our midfield,” Pitorak said. “He locks the center of the pitch down defensively and sparks our offense from the 6. You always know what you’ll get from Drew. His consistent, high level of play sets the tone for our team.”
On the back line, senior Cole Duricky anchors the defense. Standing 6-foot-2, Duricky combines physical dominance with technical ability rarely found in central defenders.
“Everything you want in a center back,” Pitorak said. “He consistently wins crosses and long balls in the air, can dribble out of tight situations and has the precision to start our offense from the back. Whether with a line-breaking pass into the feet of a forward or midfielder, or over the top into space, Cole is the anchor of our defense.”
Behind him stands one of the region’s top goalkeepers in senior Roko Perkovic, who earned First Team All-Greater Cleveland and Second Team All-North Coast Conference honors last season.
Up front, senior Matthew Ridler brings versatility and leadership despite working his way back from a mid-summer injury. Ridler scored two goals last season and has already committed to continue his career at Hiram College.
“The Swiss army knife of our team,” Pitorak said. “He can play wherever is needed and do it very well. He picked up a mid-summer injury, but should be back around mid-September. Watch for big things from the senior.”
The Formula for Success
Lake Catholic has long built its success on disciplined, team-oriented soccer, and that identity won’t change in 2026.
Pitorak wants his team to move the ball with purpose, stay organized defensively and capitalize when opponents make mistakes.
“Move the ball quickly, stay organized defensively, seize our opportunities to score and take advantage of our opponent’s mistakes,” he said.
Just as important is maintaining the culture that has helped Lake Catholic consistently compete deep into October.
“Stay together as a team,” Pitorak said. “Through thick and thin, we are a family.”
Outlook
Replacing a talented senior class is never easy, but Lake Catholic has the type of experienced leadership that keeps expectations high. With Fredriks orchestrating the attack, Duricky organizing the defense, Perkovic protecting the net and a talented supporting cast ready for expanded roles, the Cougars have the pieces to remain a dangerous postseason team.
There may be plenty of new faces wearing the blue and gold this fall, but don’t expect Lake Catholic to disappear from the district championship conversation anytime soon.
