The best boys soccer team in the Jefferson County Activities Association isn’t even in Jefferson County.
The Perryville Pirates have made their conference foes walk the plank for five straight seasons, storming to league titles with 25 consecutive wins. But head coach Jerry Fulton’s club has lost in the district playoffs two years in a row, stoking plenty of hunger for the team that went 13-8 a year ago.
Perryville lost 10 players to graduation, a number that would stagger most other programs, but not the Pirates, who benefit from a robust Fulton-built youth pipeline. The other JCAA team in Perryville, St. Vincent, doesn’t field a boys soccer team, so Fulton’s only competition for athletes is the Pirate football team.
The JCAA teams from the county have all produced talented players – like Hillsboro 2024 graduate and conference MVP Nick Marchetti, who’s now at Rockhurst University in Kansas City – but have few league titles to show for it. Windsor (2011) is the only team other than Perryville and St. Pius to win the JCAA since 2010.
None of the county teams in the conference, including the now-independent St. Pius X, has won a state championship. The Lancers have been to the final four six times, finishing second once, third four times, and fourth once. De Soto, Festus, Hillsboro and Windsor have yet to reach the semifinals.
Here’s a breakdown of this year’s local JCAA teams, plus St. Pius.
New coach, era for Lancers
St. Pius X stayed within the family to select a new head coach for the boys soccer team.
Paul Kohler graduated from St. Pius X in 1999. He played soccer, baseball, and basketball for the Lancers. The school hired him in May to replace Scott Rudolph, who coached the team to a record of 15-25-1 in his two seasons.
Kohler coached youth soccer for the St. Louis Scott Gallagher organization, one of the leading developmental soccer programs in Missouri. Kohler lives in Crystal City with his family and works as an occupational therapist at Athletico Physical Therapy in Festus.
“As an alum, it’s important to me to see the soccer program be competitive and teach the new generation what it means to be a Lancer soccer player,” Kohler said.
The dip in the Lancers’ fortunes, after finishing second in the state (Class 1) in 2021, coincided with moving up to Class 2. The team will experience another change this fall with their new status as an independent, after St. Pius was expelled from the Jefferson County Activities Association in March. Games against De Soto, Festus, Hillsboro, Perryville and Windsor have disappeared from the schedule.
Kohler’s squad opens the season in the Bishop DuBourg tournament starting Aug. 31. The rest of the schedule is a mix of private and public schools, including a Sept. 3 match at Seckman that may be moved to St. Pius because the Jaguars are replacing their flood-damaged turf field.
“There’s some good players on this team and I think we’ll be competitive,” Kohler said.
“Our goal is to be around .500. I wouldn’t want to get too crazy and say we’re going to be undefeated. We have a tough schedule. By the time we’re getting into districts, I hope we’re gelling and our legs are fresh as possible.
“The foot skills look good and the energy’s there.”
Kohler is still learning about his players. Practice begins Monday, but he’s seen them perform at camps this summer.
“We have had a number of kick-arounds over the summer, with really good turnout,” Kohler said. “So far I am excited by the talent I have seen and I look forward to getting the entire team together.”
The Lancers will feature a strong senior class that includes Conner Meffen, Kyler Gartner, John Hrin, Jayden McGrath, Reese Atzert, Sam Eimer, Hayden Hill and John Jercinovic.
“During the first third of the season, we’ll probably have a lot of different starting lineups to keep legs fresh, to find the right balance and to see who gels well together,” Kohler said. “We will look to narrow down a more consistent starting 11 toward the middle of the season.”
It will help to have Gartner, a returning captain, back in goal. A first-team all-JCAA selection in 2023, Gartner had five shutouts – including three straight against Saxony Lutheran, Windsor and Farmington – and a goals-against average of 2.54.
“(Gartner’s) backup will be by committee, with a number of guys putting in work to take the reins when Kyle graduates or needs a rest,” Kohler said. “He’s an outstanding goalie. I’ve been very impressed with him. He’s like a really good shortstop, where he makes the routine stops and also the ones where you say, ‘How did he do that?’”
Meffen, an attacking winger or striker, plans to pull double duty kicking for the football team. Hrin, a winger and the leading returning scorer (seven goals), was second team all-conference and is moving up to striker. McGrath is a defensive midfielder and Atzert plays defensive center midfield or wing striker. Eimer and Hill are backs.
Kohler’s goals this season are for the team to have a collective grade-point average of 3.4 with 75 percent on the honor roll; finish above .500; give up less than 35 goals; and play in the district final.
“We will emphasize defensive shape and organization, with all 11 players working hard to defend. Offensively, we will take every opportunity the game gives us to score, trying to capitalize on turnovers, but also creating chances through quick transitions, combination passes and moments of individual effort.”
Hawks have gaping hole on offense
For the first time since COVID-19 peppered the 2020 boys soccer season with restrictions and uncertainties, Hillsboro faces life without its career scoring leader.
Nick Marchetti took his 95 goals, 30 assists and 220 points to Kansas City, where he’ll begin training this month at Rockhurst University. In his wake, the Hawks must retool their offensive approach. In 2023, Marchetti was the Jefferson County Activities Association MVP and made first-team All-State in Class 3 as selected by the Missouri High School Soccer Coaches Association.
“Those are some big shoes to fill,” said Hillsboro head coach Sam Nansel, heading into his fifth campaign in that job and 12th with the program. “A player like Nick comes along my neck of the woods every so often. The guys always tried to get the ball to him because he was so reliable putting the ball in the net.”
A summer of camps and workouts has helped Hillsboro to start adapting. Official practice begins Monday and the season kicks off Aug. 30 at Northwest. The Hawks were 9-13-1 overall and 3-2 in the JCAA last season, losing 3-1 to Cape Girardeau Notre Dame in the Class 3 District 1 tournament.
“We’re working on possessing the ball more,” said Nansel, who also pilots the Hillsboro girls team in the spring. “We had a lot of run-and-gun games (in 20223) and the guys understand we’re not going to be able to do that because we don’t have that big threat. We lack some of the offensive threats we’ve had the luxury of (fielding) over the past few seasons. We will look to stay organized and be gritty and tough.”
As if replacing Marchetti’s offense wasn’t challenging enough, the situation in goal is unsettled because of injuries and the graduation of last year’s mainstays, Jason Hettel and Gabe Perry.
Junior Carter Hutson has had two solid JV years, but he suffered a serious elbow injury in a summer match against Windsor. Nansel said it will be three weeks before Hutson is evaluated to play and there’s a chance he will need season-ending surgery.
Freshman Matthew Moore is the only other goalie on the roster. But in another JCAA summer game against Festus, the day after Hutson was injured, Moore fractured his hip punting the ball. He’s out until at least Aug. 23.
That leaves sophomore Patrick Carey to learn on the job until Hutson or Moore can return.
“If we had to play tomorrow, we’d be starting our third-string goalie,” Nansel said. “During kick- arounds, (Carey) has been fearless.”
In the backfield, senior Kyler Harget moves up from the JV last year, and Nansel Harget is the team’s most improved player so far.
“He’s done all of the summer work,” the coach said.
Junior Luke Auer will line up at center back for his third year on the varsity. Senior Eli Stuart and junior Gary Loveless return at outside back.
“They got a lot of minutes on the back line last year,” Nansel said.
Twins Andrew and Matthew Carey, Patrick’s brothers, are junior starters returning to the midfield. Andrew was the Hawks’ second leading scorer last year with four goals. The outside midfielders are juniors Andrew Snyder and Hayden Hogan.
Junior Hunter Grewe has the unenviable task of replacing Marchetti at striker. Grewe hasn’t scored at the varsity level.
“He plays differently than Nick, but he can score,” Nansel said.
Senior Luke Naeger returns to play in the midfield and Nansel said his teammates look to him for leadership. Naeger’s mother is Tish Naeger, the Hillsboro softball coach. Junior Malachi Gaston is a physical presence who worked hard all offseason to improve.
Marchetti was the placekicker for the football team for three years, and sophomore Brayden Maibes will attempt that double this fall.
Northwest, a Class 4 school that was 13-13 last season and beat the Hawks 6-2, also faces a transition with the graduation of all-state goalie Alex Drexler and leading scorer Luke Licare.
“It’s a good early test,” Nansel said. “I think they’ll be lacking a big offensive threat this year. But maybe somebody steps up for them. That’s always a tough game for us.”
The Hillsboro tournament is the week of Sept. 23 and will include Fox, Union, Bishop DuBourg, North County, Seckman and the St. Louis University High junior varsity, a team comprised of all juniors.
Perryville has won the JCAA five years running, with 25 consecutive wins. The Hawks take their shot at the champs Sept. 19.
“They have a great coach in Jerry (Fulton) and he’s been a mentor to me,” Nansel said. “He’s fortunate to have a strong youth program that keeps the talent coming in. That’s always a tough matchup for us and I hope somebody can break the streak this year.”
New Dragon coach experienced on different levels
De Soto’s new head coach, Stephen Peck Jr., has a resume longer than a goalie’s punt. He’s had coaching stops at Jefferson College, Culver-Stockton University (Mo.), Jackson State University (Miss.), Oakland City University (Ind.) and most recently at Edward Waters University in Jacksonville, Fla.
The Dragons were 2-13 last year, including a 1-3 mark in the JCAA.
Peck said many of the returning upperclassmen have worked hard in the offseason. “We have several that will be bringing in a wealth of playing experience from last season and from playing club (ball) in the spring of 2023,” he said.
Senior midfielder Hunter Adams was an honorable mention all-JCAA pick last year. Junior forward/midfielder Wyatt Wolf and junior back/midfielder Aiden Edgar play for the Mineral Area Soccer Club, and senior defender Liam Modrosic and junior defense/midfielder Tyrese Mitchell compete for the Lou Fusz program in St. Louis.
Other key Dragon contributors include seniors Bode Burke (midfield), Tristan Duepner (forward/midfield) and defender Eli Phipps and junior defender Will Weber.
Sophomore CJ Massey and freshman Cameron Schniedwind will both get their first test as varsity goalkeepers.
The Dragons open the season Sept. 1 at home against St. Pius X.
“We are looking to be less predictable and play a style that allows the players to have more control and possession throughout the game,” Peck said.
Tigers will ‘have different look’ this year
Festus went 9-9 in 2021, but it’s been mostly downhill since then with only six wins in 40 matches.
After Stephen Darden graduated in 2023, Festus couldn’t replicate his goal-scoring prowess last season and was shut out 11 times. Senior forward Cole Vogel returns after leading the team with 14 points on five goals and four assists, earning first-team All-JCAA honors.
“We do not have one clear goal scorer, but I think Chase Allen and Cole Vogel are going to be major contributors offensively,” said Festus head coach Austin Burgert, who’s starting his seventh year in charge. “I am hopeful that with (freshman Dalton Gamm) in net and our defensive line, we will stay in games from a defensive standpoint.”
It’s a traffic jam in the Tiger goal with Gamm, junior Dylan Pridemore and sophomore Vincent Meppiel vying for playing time. Despite his age, Burgert said Gamm is the most experienced keeper.
“(Gamm) has quite a bit of experience in net at a very competitive level,” Burgert said. “We are excited to see what he can do between the posts.”
Senior Logan Bohn (All-JCAA honorable mention) is the anchor of the defense at center back. He’s joined in the backfield by center Wyatt Johnson (second team all-conference) and winger Owyn Daugherty, both seniors, and sophomore winger Ben Richards. The midfield features sophomore Keegan Bayer, junior Kaiden Beffa and senior Preston Rakers. Sophomore Cylis Blood joins Allen and Vogel on the attack.
“We are in the rebuilding stages after losing some notable players over the last few years, including Alec Bell, Jack Uskiwich (and) Stephen Darden,” Burgert said. “We have some young, talented players (and) we are excited to see how they can contribute for us this season.”
Scoring record in Eskridge’s sights
The passing of the torch isn’t limited to the Olympics.
It will happen this fall at Windsor if senior forward Ryan Eskridge scores five goals, which would give him 33 for his Owl career, breaking the school record of 32 set in 2009 by current head coach Mike Alvarado.
Last season, Eskridge was selected to the all-Jefferson County Activities Association first team, scoring a team-best 19 goals and distributing 11 assists for 49 points.
“I didn’t start thinking about (records) until eighth grade,” Eskridge said. “I didn’t think I’d make the team with the way they looked when I went to games. The first (freshman) year my teammates helped me out and helped me learn a lot. I set a new goal.”
Beginning his fourth year in charge, Alvarado said he’ll gladly hand the torch to Eskridge when the moment arrives.
“I was a forward and scored all kinds of goals; scrappy or head balls,” Alvarado said. “Ryan is a completely different kind of player. He’s very technical, fast and can score in many different ways. We will see where he ends up on Windsor’s all-time scoring list.”
Eskridge said he likes to aim for the corners when he shoots. His philosophy on penalty kicks is simple.
“It’s all confidence,” he said. “If you don’t have it, you’ll miss the net. Take a nice easy shot to the corner of the goal.
“A lot of my goals have come from midfield and my speed. My teammates (would send) me through-balls and I’d run along the wing or make cross runs and hit it into corners. Other times I’d rip a shot on the net from the box.”
Last year Eskridge scored hat tricks (three goals in one game) in victories over conference rival Festus and Pacific. The Owls were 11-12 overall and 2-2 in the JCAA, but their season ended with a thud, losing 3-1 to Pacific in the first round of the Class 3 District 2 tournament. Windsor had blanked the Indians 4-0 just five days earlier.
Playing in the midfield and backfield, senior Logan Bell provided offensive punch from the wing with eight goals and five assists for 21 points.
“He’s got great speed,” Alvarado said.
When practice begins Monday, seniors Mason Eller (back) and Kevin Holman (midfield, back) and sophomores Connor Fagin (midfield) and Austin Todtenhaupt (midfield, forward) will assume starter status. Todtenhaupt logged two goals and four assists in 2023.
“We lost a good senior class (eight players), but I don’t think it’s a dropoff and I’m hoping the progression keeps improving.”
Junior Caleb Haegele split time in goal last year with Jake Wolff, who graduated. In 994 minutes, Haegele’s goals-against average topped 6.00, so that will need to improve. He allowed eight goals against JCAA champion Perryville and Metro and five to Fox. Haegele also plays basketball and baseball for the Owls.
“He’s the lead guy now,” Alvarado said. “He’s a very athletic guy who makes saves you don’t think goalies can make.”
Perryville once again is the odds-on favorite in the JCAA, which is one school smaller with the exit of St. Pius X. The Pirates still seek their first state championship after finishing second in Class 2 in 2015 and 2021.
The Owls open the season at home against Farmington Aug. 31.
Beating Perryville isn’t impossible, Alvarado said. “In fact, the (Windsor) girls did it last year.”
The Windsor girls actually downed Perryville twice last spring and won the JCAA with a 5-0 record.
“I think we’ll have a better win rate than we did last year,” Eskridge said. “We won a couple of friendlies this summer. Hopefully, we can get out of districts.”