C. Milton Wright capped a dominant 2024 season with a Class 2A state championship. But the Mustangs graduated their leading goal scorer and starting goalkeeper, who posted five postseason shutouts, potentially opening the door for a new challenger to join them at the top this year.
Bel Air, Harford Tech and Patterson Mill are among the teams coaches surveyed by The Aegis said could threaten the Mustangs. Still, most said they expect C. Milton Wright to remain the class of Harford County. Coach Eric Riedlbauer, entering his fourth season after adding another trophy to the Mustangs’ already-stuffed display case, is looking to now-seniors Liam Bender, Henry Buyse and Charlie Kitz, who played pivotal roles in the team’s state title run, to fill those holes left by Axel Lorentzen and Dylan Sander.
This will also be the first soccer season of the new-look Upper Chesapeake Bay Athletic Conference, shifting away from upper and lower divisions teams could fluctuate between year to year in favor of three set divisions of five teams each with a conference championship game.
Here’s what to watch for this season in Harford County boys soccer:
Aberdeen
Coach: Chuck Osborne, first season
Last season: 0-11-1
Top returners: Seniors Kian O’Hara (F) and Trevor Zakowski (D); junior Aymaan Anwar (M).
Newcomers to watch: Junior Bryndan Baker (F); sophomores Luca Daniele (D) and Eric Dunca (F).
What must happen for your team to succeed? To succeed this year, Aberdeen will need the defense to take a step forward. We gave up 54 goals last season and focusing on our defense this year is the main priority. — Osborne
Bel Air
Coach: Dominic Rose, 31st season
Last season: 9-5
Top returners: Senior Jackson Iarossi (M); juniors Ronin Klisewieczs (D) and Parker Schuelke (M).
Newcomers to watch: Seniors Kevin Coreas (F), Devin Goldberg (D) and Renee Palido (F)
What must happen for your team to succeed? We must be more consistent for the entire game, not just moments. — Rose
C. Milton Wright
Coach: Eric Riedlbauer, fourth season
Last season: 17-2, Class 2A state champions
Top returners: Seniors Liam Bender (M), Henry Buyse (D) and Charlie Kitz (M).
Newcomers to watch: Sophomore Logan Hills (D); freshmen Brayden Elliot (F) and Ayden Jackson (GK).
What must happen for your team to succeed? Replacing Axel Lorentzen’s 20 goals from last season and Dylan Sander’s five postseason shutouts. The team will need to work together to fill these voids. — Riedlbauer
Edgewood
Coach: Timothy Baldwin, fourth season
Last season: 5-8
Top returners: Seniors Sebastian Ayala (M), Jesus Hernandez (D) and Merkin Mensah (F).
Newcomers to watch: Senior Trocon Langford (M); juniors Marlon Davis (D) and Pius Sie (M).
What must happen for your team to succeed? Be consistent with finishing. — Baldwin
Fallston
Coach: Christopher Hoover, 21st season
Last season: 7-7
Top returners: Seniors Lucas Clark (GK), Ariya Khairghadam (M) and Levi Tanguay (F).
Newcomers to watch: Junior Collin Carr (D); sophomores Ethan Clark (F) and Rodrigo Tellez (D).
What must happen for your team to succeed? It is all about the chemistry of the team, understanding how they fit into the systems we will run, and how we can maximize our ability. We have a skilled team on paper and they have been training hard, but it is about how we perform in our matches. — Hoover
Jack Priebe is one of the few remaining players from Harford Tech’s 2023 2A state championship team. (Steve Ruark/Freelance)
Harford Tech
Coach: Mike Dempsey, eighth season
Last season: 6-5-1
Top returners: Seniors Jack Priebe (D), Brody Smith (M) and Aiden Sullivan (GK).
Newcomers to watch: Junior Brady Sullivan; sophomores Borden Cook and Ryan Starchlack (F).
What must happen for your team to succeed? We have as much talent as any team in the county. We need to show up to play in any game. — Dempsey
Havre de Grace
Coach: Jeff Berthney, 10th season
Last season: 4-8
Top returners: Senior Matt Rutherford (D); junior Gabe Bravo (D); sophomore Larson Stevens (D).
Newcomers to watch: Sophomores Ashton Housley (GK) and Ben Rutherford (F); freshman Owen Houseman (D).
What must happen for your team to succeed? All the young players must learn to play together as a team. Eighteen pieces of the puzzle need to be put together. — Berthney
John Carroll’s Jacob Gensel, left, and Loyola Blakefield’s Mason Cook fight for the ball in the 2023 MIAA A Conference championship game. (John Gillis/Freelance)
John Carroll
Coach: Jimmy Fendryk, 16th season
Last season: 2-11-3
Top returners: Seniors Connor Clark (D) and Jacob Gensel (M); junior Tommy Wysong (M)
Newcomers to watch: Senior Ross Watson (M); sophomores Jordan Butler (D) and Evan Jarkeweicz (M)
What must happen for your team to succeed? Our group had a steep learning curve last year in the A conference. For them to be successful, they will need to focus on the fundamental characteristics that ensure competitiveness at our level. They need to control their controlables. — Fendryk
Joppatowne
Coach: Anthony Cramer, second season
Last season: 4-8
Top returners: Seniors Ryan Kleiner (D), Michael Portillo-Martinez (M) and Mason Rose (GK).
Newcomers to watch: Juniors Sarim Ahmed (M), Logan Marin (F) and Torfic Tarnue (F).
What must happen for your team to succeed? For our team to succeed and stay competitive, we must maintain consistency in both effort and execution every day. Staying focused on the details — whether in training, preparation, or games — will ensure we are always improving and minimizing mistakes. If we commit to these standards, we will put ourselves in position to compete with anyone. — Cramer
North Harford
Coach: Erik Lane, fifth season
Last season: 6-8-1
Top returners: Seniors Matt Deily (F), Ryder Taylor (M) and Emory Winn (D)
Newcomers to watch: Juniors Jacob Babiak (GK) and Nick Anderson (M); freshman Owen Davis (M)
What must happen for your team to succeed? Lane: We lost a lot of senior leadership last year. Having the young guys take the reigns will be crucial.
Jackson Burke leads a Patterson Mill boys soccer team that’s looking to make a move to the top of the county this fall. (Brian Krista/Staff)
Patterson Mill
Coach: Wes Rich, 19th season
Last season: 11-3-1
Top returners: Seniors Jackson Burke (M), David Kim (M) and Grayson McLaughlin (F)
Newcomers to watch: Junior James Richardson (GK); sophomore Kolton Gibson (F); freshman Samson Barnhart (M)
What must happen for your team to succeed? Rich: We have a large number of returning senior players and they really need to be leaders on and off the field, continue to push the pace of our practices and make their final season a special one. We look a bit new on defense, but they are playing great early on.
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