10-0 Squared and Beyond
The WHHS Varsity soccer teams are off to a strong start, both Men’s and Women’s posting 10-0 wins early in the season.
Roman Girandola ’24 is lifted up by his team mates in celebration after a 10-0 win over the rival Withrow Tigers. Girandola is just one of many underclassman who lead this team and give hope for the future.
Both the men’s and women’s soccer programs have been off to a successful start early on in the season.
The Lady Eagles are moving into week four of their season with a 4-1 record. They have defeated Western Brown, New Richmond, Taylor, Colerain and Pointz Career and Technology Center in their first three weeks.
Following the Lady Eagles 4-2 win against Western Brown on Aug. 21, Stella Kiniyalocts, ‘23 was nominated for Ohio Girls Soccer Player of the Week after scoring two of the team’s goals, which tied her for leading scorer in the Eastern Cincinnati Conference (ECC).
The men’s soccer team has competed three times this season, taking on Withrow, Winton Woods, and Springboro. These Eagles are now moving into their third week with a 2-0-1 record, after tying 0-0 with Springboro.
On Aug. 26, the two teams earned a victory in both of their games. With the girls playing New Richmond and the boys playing Withrow, both teams came out with a win of 10-0.
In the Lady Eagles game against New Richmond, their 10 goals were collectively scored by Audrey Quell, ‘23, SENIOR Hannah Griffin, Jorja Wilkerson, ‘24, SENIOR Mariah Couch, SENIOR Sophia Cuchetti, Stella Kiniyalocts, ‘23 and SENIOR Paige Keener.
Keener led the way with a hat-trick, sinking three goals during the game.
“I honestly was so surprised after I scored my third goal since I typically play defense, but we had a player out and I had to step up and honestly I was just so happy and excited,” Keener said. “I was so glad we won.”
When the men’s soccer team took on Withrow, Josh Baur, ‘23, Jordan Domoe, ‘23, Eli Larsen, ‘24, SENIOR Isaac Larsen, SENIOR Liam Menz, Myles Schulz, ‘24 and Lucas Wilmes, ‘23 were all able to reach the back of the net.
The boys were led in scoring by Eli Larsen and Isaac Larsen, both locking in two goals.
“The 10-0 win was a great way to start the season after a long and hard summer,” captain and center back SENIOR Bron Dietz said. “Hopefully we can keep grinding out wins this season and go deep into the tournament this fall.”
Last season, the men’s program graduated 12 SENIORS, including Isaiah Jackson, ‘21 and Henry Hattermer, ‘21 who went on to play soccer at the collegiate level. Despite suffering a significant loss in talent, the program continues to be successful.
“As a younger team with only five SENIORS we have definitely had to train harder than before, but the team is looking very promising,” Dietz said.
Both programs are on the rise this season. The girls in particular are a talented team with players such as Kiniyalocts who plays for the US National League, Cucchetti who has committed to play for Cleveland State, and Aniyah Mack, ‘23 who plays for Cincinnati United Premiere.
Mack’s team won nationals during the summer of 2021 and several other players on the women’s teams play for various club level organizations at a high level.
In weeks three and four of their respective seasons, the teams are set to play Lebanon and St. Xavier on Sept.7.
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