Boys soccer: Ottawa optimistic with returning talent on the pitch

For the Ottawa boys soccer team, the 2019 fall season ended in an encouraging way. Despite a tough 3-2 loss in a Class 2A regional championship game to Rock Island, the Pirates racked up an impressive 15 wins, one victory shy of the all-time program record of 16 set and equalled in the back-to-back seasons of 1986 and ‘87.

But COVID-19 derailed any plans of improving on the 2019 campaign, as OTHS saw its 2020 fall season moved to spring 2021, when the Pirates struggled, as many others did, with cancellations and rescheduled games, ultimately falling to 4-5-1 overall and 1-4-1 within the Interstate 8 Conference.

“We had a real nice season now almost two years ago and took a great step in the right direction, and it proved to be one of the finest years in our soccer history,” said Jeff Davis, entering his 19th season as the Pirates’ head coach. “Last year was so different for all of us with the pandemic and having our season switched to the spring on a very limited basis.

“But I feel we moved in a positive direction, winning our last three games back in April, which hopefully has helped set us up for what I believe could be another very fine year for Ottawa soccer.”

Davis has reason to be encouraged about the new fall season, as he’ll see eight starters return to the King Field pitch. First and foremost are senior forward/midfielders Gio Resendez and Jonathan Sczewczuk. Resendez led the Pirates in the spring with 17 goals and seven assists. Both earned All-Interstate 8 honors in the spring season.

“Gio’s just a great all-around player, a very unselfish player who likes to share the ball with his teammates as well as put it in the net,” Davis said. “Jonathan has also stepped up and has become a key piece to our success, with Gio growing leaps and bounds since his sophomore year. But after those two, I’ve been really impressed with our talent across the board, from our returning players to our new guys.

“Our strength this season will be our depth. I think this is one of the deepest teams I’ve ever had going back almost 20 years.”

After Resendez and Sczewczuk, the Pirates are loaded with midfield talent. Seniors Raymond Moore, Nolan Swartzmiller, Alonso Navarro and newcomer Edwin Nurinda (transfer from La Salle-Peru) lead the way. Junior Ethan Cela, sophomore Alexander Houk and freshman Evan Snook also are high on Davis’ midfield list of potential contributors.

“I really feel like this could be a very, very solid year for us, and I have high hopes for this group. Returning all these great guys and with the addition of some fantastic incoming talent, I believe there’s a lot we can accomplish.

—  Ottawa boys soccer coach Jeff Davis

On defense, Davis will rely on steady seniors Kenny Harsted, Will Goetz and Carlos Guetierrez, as well as junior Adam Gross, sophomore Alan Sifuentes, sophomore newcomer Brian Diederich (transfer from Plano) and promising freshman Noah Gross.

Goalkeeping duties will fall in the hands of a trio competing for the job. Junior Owen Phillips along with sophomores Brady Wendt and Jackson Damron are capable keepers in Davis’ mind.

Junior Landen Thorsen and sophomore Miguel Rodriguez round out the Pirates’ varsity roster.

“I really feel like this could be a very, very solid year for us, and I have high hopes for this group,” Davis said. “Returning all these great guys and with the addition of some fantastic incoming talent, I believe there’s a lot we can accomplish. But I’m a realist and know we’re in a great conference with perennial powers like Kaneland and Sycamore, so we’ll have to be prepared each and every game.

“All I can ask for from our guys is that they come out and work hard, and I really believe this group will. Hopefully this will prove to be a great year for us in the end.”

Ottawa’s Tuesday opener at Roanoke-Benson was canceled because of excessive heat. The Pirates’ first home matchup is Thursday vs. Princeton.