Arabians boys soccer team to feature youthful lineup

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PENDLETON — Head coach Kyle Davy knew this group was coming, now they are here.

A talented group of freshmen are debuting at the varsity level for the Pendleton Heights boys soccer team.

The mix of rookies with some seasoned players — though still young — have the coach excited about what lies ahead.

“We (including my brother Mark, the girls coach) have a spread sheet of all the players coming up through our program,” Davy said.

“This is one of those classes that (our coaching staff and I) have been waiting on. We’re going to start molding these guys because we are going to have them for the next four years. Some of these guys will be getting crucial minutes for our varsity team. They are going to get that experience right off the bat. To have them for the next four years that is going to be super exciting.”

The season-opener may have been a good sign of things to come.

In a 4-0 victory versus Hamilton Heights on Aug. 19, freshman Jack Weflen scored the team’s opening goal.

Inserted in the lineup for a starter that was unable to play, Weflen took advantage of his opportunity adding an assist on each of the additional Arabian goals.

Davy has six freshmen on a 19-player varsity roster, which includes players who will split time on both varsity and junior varsity. Frosh Alex Heineman, a midfielder, and Greyson Hovermale, a forward, are listed as full-time varsity players.

Back Warner Sims and midfielders Kayden Beck and Wyatt DeBertrand are other frosh who are expected to see time at the varsity level. Eight of the 16 players listed on the junior varsity lineup are also first-year high schoolers.

“They had really good middle school careers, winning a lot of games there,’ Davy added. “We’re ready to mold them to see what they can do for us.

“We only have 8-10 upperclassmen, so we’re going rely on some of these younger players to help us. We’re young, but those players are good, so I think we could surprise some people this year.”

Davy’s team was youthful last year, too.

They’re off to a good start mixing in their young guys with their really young guys.

Last season, Pendleton Heights went 5-12-1 with midfielders, now juniors, Kam Kail and Coel Bubalo leading the offense. Kail had a team high eight goals in 2020 and was second in assists with two. He had two goals and an assist in last week’s win against Hamilton Heights.

“They are probably our two most technical, skilled players,” Davy said.

Bubalo led last year’s team with seven assists and tied for second in goals with three.

Where the Arabians have most of their experience is on defense. William Phillips returns as the team’s goalkeeper. He is one of four seniors, which include starting center backs Grant Koperczak and Devan Swinford. Matthew Roark is a senior midfielder.

As well as a top defender, Swinford was one of last year’s top goal scorers with three.

A junior midfielder, Jackson Ragan also had a goal in the team’s opener.

Other juniors on the roster include backup goalkeeper Alex Gebley and midfielder Parker Suchyna. Sophomores on the varsity are starting defensemen Gavin Busby and Ethan Duncan and midfielders Jacob Sikorski and Dom Apo.

The Arabians defeated Muncie Burris 3-1 on Monday. Kail had two more goals and an assist. Ragan had the other goal.

The next home match is today (Aug. 26) against Hamilton Southeastern.

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2021 Pendleton Heights Boys Soccer Schedule

Date;Opponent;Time

Aug. 19;vs. Hamilton Heights;7 p.m.

Aug. 23;at Muncie Burris;5:30 p.m.

Aug. 26;vs. Hamilton Southeastern;7 p.m.

Aug. 31;at Greenfield-Central;7 p.m.

Sept. 2;at Anderson;7 p.m.

Sept. 7;vs. Marion;7 p.m.

Sept. 9;vs. Fishers;7:30 p.m.

Sept. 11;at Westfield Invitational;11 a.m.

Sept. 15;at Yorktown;7 p.m.

Sept. 16;vs. Delta;7 p.m.

Sept. 20;vs. New Castle;7 p.m.

Sept. 23;vs. Mt. Vernon;7 p.m.

Sept. 27;at Oak Hill;7 p.m.

Sept. 28;at Shelbyville;7 p.m.

Sept. 30;at New Palestine;7 p.m.

Oct. 5;at Sectional;TBD

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2021 Pendleton Heights Boys Soccer Roster

No.;Name;Class;Pos.

00;William Phillips;12;GK

0;Alex Begley;11;GK

1;Jack Weflent;9;F

2;Warner Sims;9;D

3;Alex Heineman;9;M

5;Jacob Sikorski;10;M

6;Grant Koperczak;12;D

7;Ethan Duncan;10;D

8;Cole Bubalo;11;M

9;Gavin Busby;10;D

10;Kam Kail;11;M

11;Jackson Ragan;11;M

12;Greyson Hovermale;9;F

13;Kayden Beck;9;M

14;Matthew Roark;12;M

15;Dom Apo;10;M

20;Devan Swinford;12;D

21;Wyatt DeBertrand;9;M

24;Parker Suchyna;11;M

Head Coach: Kyle Davy

JV Coach: Adam Alt

Assistant Coach: Dave Beck

Goalkeeper Coach: Todd Henderson

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