Check out area boys team rosters, watch list

The final portion of our annual high school soccer preview is unveiled, with Chris Lillstrung’s 2017 boys watch list — featuring players to watch and matches to watch — and area boys team rosters.

PLAYERS TO WATCH

(in alphabetical order) F Angel Aboytes, Sr., Riverside: After Colton Priester’s graduation, this senior striker, who had 16 goals last fall for a Division I district finalist side, will be counted on to help carry more of the attacking load. F Jack Amendola, Jr., Chagrin Falls: The promise was evident in his sophomore campaign, as he scored 11 goals and showed nice 1-on1 skill and a good left foot, and his continued development is key for the Tigers. MF Ivan Babic, Sr., Lake

Catholic: Given how much of a role he has played for some quality sides since his sophomore year, this outstanding playmaking midfielder and returning first-team News-Herald allstar is as experienced as it gets and will be a key cog in the middle of the park. F Enea Cominelli, Jr., University: This has been stated before over the years, but the US offensive-third quality could be very good this fall — and this pacey junior striker (seven goals, seven assists in 2016) is a big reason why as the Preppers move up to D-I. MF Gage Davis, Sr., South: Coming off a breakout junior season with 15 goals and five assists in which he was a second-team N-H all-star and first-team D-I all-Cleveland honoree, this standout senior midfielder seems poised for similar or better in 2017. F Bryce Gordon, Sr., Brush: The Arcs took a heavy graduation hit in midfield but should be just fine up top with this senior striker, who had 14 goals and 15 assists, back in the fold. F Griffin Meyer, Jr., University: What was said about Cominelli also applies to fellow junior striker Meyer — even the stats as he had the same number of goals and assists as US advanced to a D-II district final. MF Mario Puletti, Jr., Newbury: The glimpses of brilliance were there in 2016 in a young but dynamic attack, and this junior is at the controls, seeking to improve on an 11-goal, 18-assist campaign last year. D Colin Shambaugh, Sr., Riverside: As the Beavers have redefined their program in recent years, this commanding center back and returning first-team N-H all-star has been a vital part to that cause. D Adam Turk, Sr., Brush: Speaking of standout center backs, this senior is on this area’s short list in that regard and will be a focal point as the Arcs seek to build on an 11-5-2 campaign last fall.

MATCHES TO WATCH

Lake Catholic at University (Aug. 29), Hawken at Chagrin falls (Aug. 29), West Geauga at Mayfield (Aug. 31), University at Bay (Sept. 2), South at Kenston (Sept. 5), Mayfield at Brush (Sept. 12), Perry at Kirtland (Sept. 14), Newbury at Cardinal (Sept. 14), Lake Catholic at Mentor (Sept. 16), Hawken at University (Sept. 19), North at South (Sept. 19), Kirtland at Riverside (Sept. 21), University at Chagrin Falls (Sept. 23), NDCL at Lake Catholic (Sept. 26), Riverside at North (Sept. 26), Harvey at Riverside (Sept. 30), St. Ignatius at University (Oct. 3), Kenston at Riverside (Oct. 3), Kenston at Chagrin Falls (Oct. 7), West Geauga at Kirtland (Oct. 12), Riverside at Hawken (Oct. 14)

PENALTY KICKS

• The district complexion is vastly different in all divisions. Lake Catholic and University move up to D-I, and Chagrin Falls is now in the D-II Kent District, which makes the area D-II district seemingly wide open. US and Lake will join two-time district finalist Riverside as favorites in the area D-I district. D-III has an odd geographic mix, with Beachwood, Cornerstone and Wickliffe with the west side in Elyria and Berkshire, Cardinal, Kirtland and Newbury out at Kent.

• Graduation wasn’t the lone reason for turnover among area ranks. Stjepan Mijic-Barisic, who had a breakout campaign last year for Kirtland and was a first-team N-H all-star, has elected to play academy soccer, and former Lake Catholic midfielder Hrvoje Gregov has transferred to Mentor.

• Despite not having MijicBarisic back and graduating 2016 News-Herald player of the year Jared Ianiro, don’t discount the Hornets just yet. A solid group returns for Coach John Valentic that helped key the Hornets’ first-ever regional final run last fall.

• In an era with more players making the decision to play club instead of high school in the fall, it also still swings the other way. US welcomes back George Nageeb as a senior, who showed a great deal of promise with pace and technical skill on some strong Preppers’ sides as a freshman and sophomore. He played academy last fall.

• One of the feel-good stories of August has been Geneva, which is 2-0-1 after going 1-14-2 a year ago. Senior striker Kevin Allen, who had one goal all of last year, has four already in 2017.

• The sight of legendary coach Mario Gerhardt on the touchline for West Geauga is still taking some acclimation. That aside, the Wolverines’ early form has been encouraging, including a 2-1 win over Orange, their first over the Lions since 2012.

• Riverside appears to still be the class of the WRC, but don’t be surprised to see some resurgence elsewhere in the conference. Brush graduated Ben Bolinger and Brett Gordon in midfield, but still has some good pieces back. South, led by Gage Davis, should push for double-digit wins again. Area soccer benefits when the WRC is firing well across the board.