Wickliffe fell one win short of the .500 mark last season but the Blue Devils, who return eight starters, have a clean slate and are ready to make some noise in the Chagrin Valley Conference Valley Division and in the Division III postseason.
Eighth-year head coach Chris Adkins is eager to see what his team can do this season with plenty of experience and team speed.
“We are looking to build upon the experience the majority of our team earned last season,” Adkins said. “We have the skill and work ethic to play with any team on our schedule. We are pretty quick as a team, so we’ll look for opportunities to get out and run as much as possible.”
Five returning Blue Devils earned postseason honors last season.
Junior midfielder Jonny Abramczyk, who scored seven goals and assisted on three others, was a first-team all-CVC and all-Greater Cleveland selection last fall.
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“He provides a consistent offensive threat with his speed and shooting ability,” Adkins said.
Senior midfielder Riley Pugh earned second-team all-CVC and second team all-Greater Cleveland honors.
“Riley played in the central defense the past two years, but is being counted on to provide energy and leadership within the midfield this year,” Adkins said.
Senior defender Brady Wilson and sophomore midfielder Gianni LaPaglia both were named honorable mention all-Greater Cleveland.
LaPaglia scored four goals and recorded three assists in 2016.
“Gianni is a very quick outside midfielder with good counter-attacking instincts,” Adkins said. “Brady found his place in central defense last season to become a key contributor.”
Junior keeper JT Brenneman, who recorded 132 saves as a sophomore, will protect the net for the third straight season. He was named honorable mention all-CVC and second team all-Greater Cleveland last fall.
“He will be counted on to provide vocal leadership from the back,” Adkins said.
Other returning starters include junior forward Nick Colbert, who scored two goals with five assists, and junior midfielder Nick Telisman, who finished the 2016 season with one goal and a pair of assists.
“(Colbert) provided depth all over the field the last two seasons, but now has found his place on the frontline,” Adkins said. “(Telisman) provides a calming presence in the midfield.”
For the Blue Devils to find success in 2017 they’ll have to continue to work hard in practice and peak at the right time during the season.
