-
Final
LOU
BAL3
1 -
Final
OW
LOU2
0 -
Final
DES
LOU2
1 -
Final
LOU
WI TRIN0
2 -
Final
LOU
PIP0
2 -
Final
OTT
LOU0
3 -
Final
LOU
FRON INV1st
PL -
Final
BONSP
LOU0
3 -
Final
EUD
LOU3
0 -
Final
LOU
FS2
0 -
Final
LOU
GIR2
1 -
Final
LOU
LOU INV2nd
PL -
Final
LOU
PAO3
0 -
Final
SH
LOU3
0 -
Final
LOU
OTT INV0
5 -
Final
LOU
TONG0
3 -
Final
LOU
ATCH INV2nd
PL -
Final
LOU
OTT2
0 -
Final
LOU
WAM2
1
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Final
HAR
LOU3
13 -
Final
HAR
LOU1
13 -
Final
LOU
SH0
9 -
Final
BAL
LOU6
12 -
Final
LOU
OTT14
8 -
Final
LOU
OTT21
4 -
Final
SH
LOU4
5 -
Final
WEL
LOU1
14 -
Final
WEL
LOU2
10 -
Final
LOU
BONSP7
0 -
Final
LOU
BONSP5
1 -
Final
LOU
TONG9
4 -
Final
LOU
PIP19
15 -
Final
LOU
PIP5
7 -
Final
LOU
LAN5
4 -
Final
LOU
LAN5
4 -
Final
LOU
BV6
16 -
Apr 25, 430 p
LOU
AC
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Apr 25, 6 pm
LOU
AC
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Final
LOU
PV19
3 -
Final
LOU
CHA6
10 -
Final
EUD
LOU5
16 -
Postponed
EUD
LOU
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Final
LOU
PAO4
11 -
Final
LOU
PAO18
3 -
Final
BL
LOU10
4
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Final
FRON
LOU11
0 -
Postponed
FRON
LOU
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Final
BAL
LOU2
13 -
Final
LOU
OTT10
11 -
Final
LOU
OTT10
0 -
Final
SH
LOU13
2 -
Final
SH
LOU16
5 -
Final
WEL
LOU3
4 -
Final
WEL
LOU6
7 -
Final
LOU
BONSP4
1 -
Final
LOU
BONSP13
10 -
Final
LOU
TONG9
4 -
Final
LOU
TONG3
5 -
Final
LOU
MAC5
21 -
Final
LOU
EMP5
2 -
Final
LOU
BVW1
2 -
Final
FS
LOU12
0 -
Final
FS
LOU14
9 -
Final
EUD
LOU14
2 -
Final
LOU
LAN4
5 -
Final
LOU
CHAN0
10 -
Final
LOU
LAN1
3 -
Final
LOU
CHA1
6 -
Final
LOU
PAO9
2 -
Final
LOU
PAO12
3 -
Final
LOU
BAL10
0
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Final
TONG
LOU51
53 -
Final
LOU
BUR51
63 -
Final
AC
LOU37
44 -
Final
LOU
BAL42
60 -
Final
LOU
FRON57
46 -
Final
LOU
EUD46
53 -
Final OT
LOU
SH60
57 -
Final
BAL
LOU62
46 -
Final
NEK
LOU55
54 -
Final 2OT
GIR
LOU58
56 -
Final
LOU
WAM45
56 -
Final
BON
LOU45
53 -
Final
PAO
LOU16
47 -
Final
LEE
LOU71
46 -
Final
LOU
OTT52
62 -
Final
LOU
TONG45
40 -
Final
SH
LOU44
42 -
Final
EUD
LOU52
49 -
Final
LOU
PAO46
29 -
Final
HAR
LOU57
52
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Final
TONG
LOU48
28 -
Final
LOU
BUR38
43 -
Final
AC
LOU35
31 -
Final
LOU
BAL23
42 -
Final
LOU
FRON48
55 -
Final
LOU
EUD37
56 -
Final
LOU
SH46
59 -
Final
BAL
LOU52
31 -
Final
NEK
LOU41
49 -
Final
CHA
LOU53
36 -
Final
GIR
LOU42
34 -
Final
LOU
WAM24
63 -
Final
BON
LOU35
40 -
Final
PAO
LOU38
42 -
Final
LOU
OTT29
45 -
Final
LOU
TONG40
39 -
Final
SH
LOU43
37 -
Final
EUD
LOU38
30 -
Final
LOU
PAO39
35 -
Final
HAR
LOU33
40
Experienced Wildcats ready for another postseason run
- Updated: August 29, 2022
Louisburg’s Cade Gassman is one of 15 seniors of the Wildcat soccer team this season. Gassman is the team’s top returning player as he was a first-team all-league and all-state performer.
The sting from last season’s loss to Bishop Miege in the regional finals is still there for the Louisburg boys soccer team.
The Wildcats, who were the No. 1 seed in the state playoffs, fell to the eventual state champion in a tightly-played match and saw their season come to a close.
It is a loss many of the current players remember — mainly because many of them were a big part of the team.
Louisburg returns 15 seniors, nine of which saw varsity time at different points last season as the Wildcats went on to earn a share of the Frontier League title.
The Wildcats know experience will be key if they want to make a deep run in the postseason.
“They absolutely want that final run at a state title,” Bovaird said. “They’ve had a taste of success two years ago, and they’ve swallowed the bitter pill of a disappointing defeat last year. We’re looking at bringing home a fourth straight Frontier League title, as well as making a push for that elusive championship. This senior class is special, and I believe they can aim high and hit the mark.”
The Wildcat senior class is a large one, and many of those players have played big roles in the team’s previous successes.
Bovaird, who is in his first year as the team’s head coach after he replaced Kyle Conley, feels grateful to have a wealth of experience to work with.
“Having 15 seniors is a rare treat, I imagine, and I feel a little spoiled,” Bovaird said. “I’m very fortunate to be able to step into this role and to have such great leadership from these guys. Many of them will be 4-year letterwinners, and there are a significant number who saw playing time two years ago when we finished third at state. They play club soccer year-round and are bringing in a lot of excellent experience.”
The head of that group is senior Cade Gassman, who enters this season as a four-year varsity starter. Gassman was a first-team all-league and all-state selection as a junior as he finished with 11 goals and nine assists.
Gassman was selected as a team captain, along with fellow seniors Gavin York and Matthew Sword. York was a big piece of the varsity lineup last season at the forward spot and Sword was an honorable mention all-league selection on defense.
“Cade is a very charismatic leader, and one thing I love about him is how he inspires all his teammates — younger and older,” Bovaird said. “Sometimes I joke about how obnoxiously enthusiastic he can be, but the thing is — it works. He’s a ‘life-giver’ with his attitude and his daily approach to soccer. He loves the game, has incredible talent, and sets a high bar for leadership.
“He’s going to be joined by seniors Gavin York and Matthew Sword as captains this year. Between the three of them, not only do they have exceptional soccer skills, but they all three fulfill essential leadership roles in various ways. They all exude the qualities that a coach wants — accountability, work ethic, vocalization, encouragement, and more.”
Gassman and York will help lead the Wildcat attack, along with senior Colin McManigal, who was a second team all-league selection last year with 11 goals. Senior Jordan Brown will come off the bench from the forward spot as well.
Senior Toby Espina-Roca will move from defense to the center midfield position and will provide good experience at a key spot. On the outside, sophomores Emmett White and Colton Blue return after earning varsity minutes last season as freshmen. Seniors Andrew Brown and Brock Varns will also provide minutes on the outside.
Sword will lead the Wildcat defense from his center back spot, while senior Ayden Deterding will also provide defensive help in the middle. Seniors Caden French and Owen Barber will serve as the team’s outside backs.
Seniors Jackson Olson, Kaven Bartlett, along with sophomores Jacob Brown and Dan Minster, will also see playing time on the defensive side.
A big change for the Wildcats will be in goal, as all-league and all-state goalie Mack Newell joined the football team for his senior season and has been replaced by senior Brecon Klugman.
Bovaird has liked what he has seen so far from his new keeper.
“Brecon has grown so much since joining the program last year — it’s incredible,” Bovaird said.“He’s been working all summer to grow as a goalkeeper. Not only was he at nearly every summer practice, but he would regularly meet up with teammates to have them take shots on him in goal and he would stay after conditioning to get in more reps. He’s showing his teammates how committed he is to being our goalie, and he’s been very coachable along the way.”
Helping Bovaird in his first year is former head coach Ben York, who is now serving as the team’s assistant. York was the head coach for 13 years before stepping away in 2015.
This is a group Bovaird is excited to lead in what the Wildcats hope is a special season.
“First of all, their drive and commitment are going to take them far,” Bovaird said. “They were getting together to practice the week after our season ended last year. They’ve been putting as much time in (if not more) on their own as what we’ve had for organized summer practices. These guys are willing to work hard, and they believe in the process, their teammates, and their coaches. We have experience and maturity on our side this year.”
Louisburg will open its season Tuesday when it travels to Pittsburg. Varsity is slated to begin at 6 p.m.