Serving Lucas, Ottawa, Sandusky and Wood Counties
The Northwood boys soccer team will enter its second year under the direction of John Orozco as the Rangers look to replace eight seniors.
That group includes the program’s all-time leading goal-producer Danny Genzman, the best defender Mason Hurley and starting goalkeeper Brayden LaGrange, who currently holds the highest save percentage in school history.
Conversely, the Rangers return midfielder Caiden Genson, who has 31 goals and 50 assists in his career, and they’ll feature others such as junior striker Sebastian Gomez, junior center midfielder Alex Hagemann, sophomore striker Mason Carlo and freshman midfielder Alejandro Cardenas.
“To have (Caiden’s) kind of character is a true blessing for a leader, and he's certainly a leader,” Orozco said. “He was a captain last year, and he'll be a captain this year. He's a great playmaker. He has phenomenal foot skills. We're excited to see what (Alejandro) is going to do this year. He’s so diverse and can do a lot of things — very athletic.
“Alex is a phenomenal striker who has a phenomenal foot with his ability to shoot the ball and strike the ball. Mason was the most improved over the course of last year. He showed some talent and as we kept working with him, and he kept working at it, he got pretty good. He has great pace and great vision.”
Among the returners are four starters: Hagemann, Genson, Carlo and Gomez. First-year soccer player David Garcia joins Genson in a two-person senior class.
“(Sebastian) is tall, lanky, and athletic,” Orozco said. “He can play with a lot of skill. We just have to keep telling him to not get overwhelmed because he hasn’t been in a setting like this where he’s had to really make an impact. He can play with some pace, but we just have to get that out of him. Hopefully him and Mason can make up for what we are losing with Danny being gone.”
In addition to Cardenas, the freshmen group also includes Jackson Pardee and Kase Ritchie. Replacing LaGrange in goal is still a competition in progress.
“I'm excited like any year,” Orozco said. “The excitement comes when you walk out there for the first time and you realize it's starting now, for real. It’s a new opportunity to work with the new athletes to try and develop them, not just as soccer players, but young men. We have some kids who aren’t certain about what they’re doing, and it’s amazing to see them grow.”
