Key Players to Watch in 2026
The 2026 high school soccer season is shaping up to be one of the most anticipated in recent memory, as returning All‑Ohio standouts and promising newcomers prepare to battle for supremacy across the Cleveland‑area leagues.
Between the posts, seniors Tage Crisci of Kirtland and Ethan Nielsen have already proven their mettle; Crisci earned Division V All‑Ohio honors and a second‑team News‑Herald all‑star nod after posting 77 saves last year, while Nielsen’s presence promises stability for his side.
Midfielders will be the engine room of many squads, with Ryan Flynn of Kenston poised to build on a junior season that yielded seven goals and three assists and earned him first‑team D‑III all‑Cleveland honors, and P.J. Kunchik of Gilmour, whose four‑goal, two‑assist output last year highlighted his knack for dictating play.
Up front, attackers such as Gavyn Fredriks of Lake Catholic, who led his team with 10 goals and five assists and garnered first‑team D‑IV all‑Cleveland recognition, and Brandon Shaw of Hawken, whose 20‑goal, 14‑assist explosion last season showcased his pace and finishing, are expected to drive their teams’ offensive engines.
A host of younger players are also emerging; Daniel Park of Beachwood stepped into a key offensive role after Asher Gearity’s graduation, scoring 12 goals and four assists, while Zack Pizem of South, a sophomore, posted nine goals and six assists, hinting at leadership potential for a Chagrin Valley Conference side.
Marko Valentic, a junior from Kirtland, is already tallying five goals and six assists in three matches after a 14‑goal, seven‑assist sophomore campaign, and Colin Struk‑Marn of Chagrin Falls, a senior midfielder, contributed 13 goals and 15 assists, earning first‑team D‑IV all‑Cleveland honors before graduating from an elite program.
The landscape is also being reshaped by the dissolution of the Western Reserve Conference, prompting realignments that have seen Chardon, North and South move to the CVC while Kenston and Mayfield head to the Suburban, a shift that will affect scheduling, rivalries and the competitive balance across the region.
Lake Catholic’s roster, noted for its youthfulness, will rely on freshman Kris Miljanovic, who recently scored a late brace against Hawken, while Kenston’s recent 1‑0 derby victory over Chagrin Falls highlighted a strong midfield anchored by Flynn and the promising freshman Bennett Ickes. Meanwhile, the August 26 showdown between Mentor and University will offer an early glimpse of Mentor’s midfield trio — Rapolas Ogorodnikas, Colin Fellenstein and Logan Keller — against a University squad led by senior Chase Harris.
With a blend of seasoned All‑Ohio performers, dynamic midfielders, and explosive attackers, the 2026 season promises fierce competition, strategic adjustments and a showcase of talent that could redefine high school soccer in Northeast Ohio for years to come.