BOYS SOCCER
5. TALAWANDA (3-0)
The Brave are off to the best start under coach Jeremy Jones. Talawanda is led by a big senior and junior class. Senior Noel Albarran has six goals to lead the Brave while junior Ryder Hicks has notched four assists. Sophomore Sam Hogan has 1.5 shutouts. Talawanda will continue to feast on a soft early schedule, hoping to build momentum for the second half of the season.
4. Ross (2-1)
The Rams feature only one senior but have started 2026 on a good note after struggling the past two years. Anthony Crawford is in his first year for the Rams, a 1999 graduate. Junior CJ Miller leads the Rams with seven goals while senior Owen Beske has four assists.
3. Badin (3-1)
Fresh off a state semifinal appearance, new coach Brad Specht has the Rams humming with three early wins. Led by a talented junior class, the Rams have notched early wins over Madeira and La Salle while also routing Hamilton High. Juniors Charlie Hall and Shaggy Long each have four goals to lead Badin while junior Jacob Aichele has been strong in goal
2. Lakota East (2-1)
Entering his 8th year, coach Jeremy Hilen has the Thunderhawks off to a great start. East has a quality win over Little Miami and a tie with upstart Lebanon, dropping a tough 1-0 match to Milford. East finished an uncharacteristic 5-10-3 in 2025, but led by six seniors and 14 juniors, the Thunderhawks have their sights set on a Greater Miami Conference title.
1. Fairfield (3-0-1)
The Indians enter 2026 with high hopes after finishing 9-9-1 a year ago. Fairfield began 2025 with an 0-5 mark but rallied, hoping to continue the winning ways this fall. Coach Manny Adjei loves the early success.
“The Fairfield boys soccer program is off to a promising start despite the challenge of having only one returning starter. The boys have really bought into the team’s philosophy and culture.”
Fairfield graduated an astonishing 18 seniors, but Adjei is confident this team will gel in 2026.
“After losing 18 seniors, that cohesion has been critical. We are excited about the growth ahead as the season progresses.”
Senior Mekhi Waters leads the squad with four assists while senior goalie Carson Leist leads the GMC with 21 saves and two shutouts.
Games to watch this week:
Tuesday, Sept. 1 — Monroe at Badin
Thursday, Sept. 3 — Badin at CHCA, Lakota East at Fairfield.
GIRLS SOCCER
5. Fenwick (2-1)
Under first-year coach Olivia Hudgins, the Falcons are off to their best start in years. Sophomore Claire Coch has three goals to lead the Falcons while sophomore goalie Macie Dunn has been stellar in goal. The Falcons have a tough road ahead in GCL play, but seven sophomores and five freshmen show hope for the future.
4. Lakota East (2-1-1)
Fresh off an 8-9-1 2025 campaign, the Thunderhawks have begun this fall with a solid start. With eight seniors and 10 juniors, East is loaded with experience for a solid run in the Greater Miami Conference. Senior Bailey Bacher has a good start with three goals and three assists while senior Emmaline Slusher leads the GMC with 25 saves. East has a big week heading to Ross Tuesday and Fairfield Thursday.
3. Mason (2-0-1)
Always tough, Mason is off to another great start, notching wins over St. Ursula and Princeton with a tie against state power Mt Notre Dame. The Comets finished 13-4-2 a year ago, dropping a tough tourney game against Beavercreek. Led by senior Bella Anderson, the Comets are committed to going further. Anderson leads the Comets with two goals and three assists while junior Ella Krimpenfort has recorded two assists.
2. Ross (4-0)
Fresh off a regional appearance in 2025, the Rams haven’t missed a beat, starting the campaign 4-0. The Rams and Bellbrook shared the Southwestern Buckeye League Southwestern Division crown a year ago, and buoyed by eight seniors and five juniors, the Rams are ready to challenge again. Sophomore Maci Taylor leads the Rams with four goals while senior Caroline Davis and junior Mady Koeninger each have three. Junior Mia Michel has three shutouts in goal.
1. Lakota West (4-0)
Coach Brigit Reder Wilder has won a state title at West, and this year’s squad has all the makings.
“This year we had a large, talented freshman class join the program to reinforce our well-balanced mix of sophomores, juniors and seniors,” Wilder said. “This year should be exciting as we’ve already achieved some positive results against quality teams but still have so much growth to go.”
Senior Anne Marie Wambugu leads the Firebirds with four goals while junior Emi Schmidt has three assists.
“As our freshmen and first-year varsity players gain even more experience as the season progresses, I’m looking forward to seeing where the season takes us.”
Games to Watch:
Tuesday, Sept. 1 — East at Ross
Thursday, Sept. 3 — Monroe at Fenwick. East at Fairfield
