NTL BOYS SOCCER: FIRST-YEAR ATHENS COACH SAYS WILDCATS' HAVE SIGHTS SET ON 'BATTLING FOR NTL TITLE' (2025-08-26)

By TIM BIRNEY
Valley Sports Report
ATHENS — Despite having a young team, first-year Athens boys soccer coach Travis Reynard says the Wildcats have their sights set on "battling for an NTL title" in 2025.

"We have a young group of guys," he said. "With only five seniors on the roster, this has created opportunities for younger guys to step up and make an impact. 

"This group has shown commitment and determination from day one of pre-season and is not backing down. 

"They have their eye set on battling for the NTL title," added Reynard. "The boys have adapted very well to new coaches and have started developing a positive team culture and chemistry, which is great to see."

Reynard is looking to build team chemistry.

"Our biggest goal from the get-go was playing together as a team.

"Whether we are on our 'A game,' or dealing with challenges, the boys know they have to stick together and work through it as a unit rather than individually," said Reynard. "I cannot expect them to be successful if they do not mesh well and play together in the system we are playing. 

"I am pushing them every day to bond as much as possible and find solutions to problems as a team rather than coach intervention as it will only benefit them as the season goes on," he added.

Junior Zach Fisher will start in net for the Wildcats, with seniors Alex Thompson and Aryan Gaur set to start at center-backs, and juniors Alex Arcesi and Brycen Wood to start and outside-backs.

Freshman Ryder Schmidt will serve as back-up keeper, with junior Holden McKeever and freshman Rory Smart vying for time on defense.

Senior Eli Vogell will start at the center-attacking mid, with junior Kam Wheeler flanking him at right-mid, and freshman Caden Brennan starting at left-mid. Sophomore Patrick Umber will start at center-defensive mid.

Juniors Rommel Suba and Noah Thompson, McKeever, sophomore Riley Patterson, and freshman Shayan Ankam will also vie for time in the midfield.

Senior Chase Ingram and freshman Chase Gombocz will start at the striker spots.

Senior Carter Bleiler, and Ankam will also vie time at striker.

"Our team has lots of potential all over the field and decent depth," said Reynard. "In any game at any moment, one of our players can become dangerous and play a big role in the team's success. 

"I can't pinpoint certain players, especially as a new coach who is looking at everything from a bigger picture, but just know that we are looking to be creative and allow for players to shine at different times throughout the game," added Reynard.

The Wildcats also have 10 freshmen newcomers on the roster, and one senior in Bleiler. Reynard believes a few could make an impact.

"It's early in the season, but many of the freshman have been putting in the work looking to earn varsity time," he said. "It's a very large group, which is good for the future of the program, and they all bring a unique aspect to the team and the game. 

"I would definitely keep an eye on players such as Chase Gombocz, Caden Brennan, and Rory Smart, who have all seen the varsity field in some capacity during our scrimmages. 

"In terms of our new senior Carter Bleiler, who decided to come back to soccer after a few years away, he has been part of the strong leadership from the senior group and will be great depth in the offensive attack, where we have been trying to put focus on this season," added Reynard.

Reynard believes his team will rely on its defense in the early-going this season.

"I would definitely say our strength is our defensive-minded players and defensive ability," he said. "Not just our back line, but all over the field our guys, including our strikers, are always looking to win the ball back, stay in defensive shape, and not allow immediate pressure by the opposition. 

"In terms of our back line and goalkeeper, we have five returning players that know the expectation and our style-of-play and lead the charge, which is a huge benefit for us going into this season," noted Reynard. 

"Zach Fisher in goal has been a force to be reckoned with allowing only seven goals last season in NTL play," added Reynard. "I believe he is looking to even improve on that this season and be a contributor defensively."

Reynard's biggest concern in 2025 is simple.

"Goal scoring, goal scoring, goal scoring," he said emphatically. "This has been the talking point all pre-season for us ... it's one of the areas the players said was their biggest struggle last season.

"We are either on or off with our finishing and can catch ourselves struggling to connect and finish in the final third," noted Reynard. "We have put in some new looks and have a core group of players we, as a coaching staff, have worked with to help create more attacking opportunities and put some more goals up on the scoreboard than we are use to."

The Wildcats' expectations in 2025 is also simple.

"My expectations are clear. I want to compete for 80 minutes at the highest level and play the way I know we can play.

"When asking the boys about the outlook on the season, a very similar answer was given ... we want to compete for the NTL title and bring it back to Athens," said Reynard. 

"That plan sounded good to the coaching staff and that is what our eyes are set on, even though we know it will not be easy and will take a team commitment," he added.

Reynard's coaching staff includes former players Colby Blakeman and Cody VanBenthuysen.

ON THE NTL / DISTRICT 4, CLASS 3A
"The NTL can always be a challenge," said Reynard. "You never know what version of a team you are going to get each day.

"Many teams have grown in numbers, which is great for the NTL as a whole but gives a lot of teams extra depth.

"I think Northeast Bradford is going to be competitive and look to make a statement, but it's Williamson and Wellsboro that have shown to be a hard team to beat in the league," said Reynard. "What Coach Adriance has done for Williamson has been great for their program and has continued to keep getting better and being competitive. 

"In terms of Wellsboro, Coach Fitch has proven his side is the team to beat and always has his boys ready to go, but we are looking to battle with them and hopefully see the success we are looking for," noted Reynard.

"Selinsgrove is still the top of the district and has been hard to get passed due to their style of play and talent they possess. 

"I would love the opportunity to see them in the district final again in my first year as head coach, but we will handle District 4 competition when it comes upon us," added Reynard. "First, we have the NTL to compete in and make a statement."

Athens opens the 2025 season at Northeast Bradford Wednesday, then hosts Elk Lake Saturday in a non-league matchup.

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IN PHOTO: Athens junior Zach Fisher. ... VSR STOCK PHOTO.



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