MANSFIELD — If Richland County had a Mount Rushmore of boys soccer, the monument’s sculptor would be sharpening his chisel.
A new face needs to be added.
Mansfield Christian’s Jared McPeek will graduate this spring as arguably the most prolific offensive player ever produced by what is without argument the most successful program in north central Ohio. The two-time reigning Richland Source Boys Soccer Player of the Year scored 94 career goals — two behind former teammate and 2016 graduate Brandon Mount on MCS’s all-time list — and smashed the school’s career assist record with 51.
“Usually a player has a high number of goals or a high number of assists, but not both,” Mansfield Christian coach Jesse Rider said of the two-time first team All-Ohioan. “It is a testament to the work he has put in throughout his career.
“You could see early in his career that he had the potential to be special.”
McPeek helped the Flames win a Division III state championship as a freshman starter in 2014, the only state soccer title in Richland County history. He was a part of four district championship and two regional championship teams. MCS advanced to the doorstep of the state tournament again this year, falling in a penalty kick shootout to Ottawa Hills in the regional final.
Three days earlier, McPeek scored what proved to be the game-winning goal against Worthington Christian in the regional semifinals.
“(Playing in the regional tournament) never gets old,” McPeek said at the time. “It’s always fun.”
While McPeek hasn’t picked a college yet, Rider is sure he will be successful wherever he lands.
“He’s definitely a college-level player. He just has to decide if he wants to go somewhere and play right away or join a top-tier program where he has to wait his turn,” Rider said. “He has a list of five or six schools he is considering. No matter where he ends up, he’ll be a great addition to a college program.”
Jared Mount, Mansfield Christian: Like McPeek, Mount was selected to the All-Ohio first team in Division III. The junior scored 21 goals and was a North Central Ohio Scholastic Soccer Coaches Association first team pick.
Corbin Thebeault, Mansfield Christian: A senior midfielder, Thebeault joined McPeek and Mount on the NCOSSCA first team in Division III. He scored 14 goals and added four assists, helping the Flames to a 14-6-1 record.
Andrew Male, Ontario: The Warriors advanced to the Division II regional tournament for the first time in school history thanks in part to Male. The senior midfielder scored 17 goals and added 20 assists for Ontario (15-3-2), earning a spot on the All-Ohio second team in Division II.
Logan Osborne, Ontario: A senior midfielder, Osborne was selected to the NCOSSCA first team after scoring eight goals and adding 17 assists.
Andrew Cacchio, Ontario: A junior forward, Cacchio tied with Male for the team lead with 17 goals. He was a Mid-Ohio Athletic Conference first team pick and a NCOSSCA second team selection.
Matt Weaver, Ontario: The junior was arguably the best goal keeper in the area. Weaver was selected to the NCOSSCA second team in Division II and was a first team pick in the MOAC.
Mason Kearns, Lexington: A senior midfielder, Kearns was an All-Ohio second team selection and finished second in NCOSSCA Player of the Year balloting in Division II. He was an Ohio Cardinal Conference first team selection.
Matt Malaska, Lexington: The Minutemen reached the district championship game before falling to Ontario in overtime, finishing the season at 11-6-3. A senior midfielder, Malaska joined Kearns on the OCC and NCOSSCA Division II first teams.
Blake Phelps, Madison: A junior, Phelps was selected the OCC Defensive Player of the Year. He also earned a spot on the NCOSSCA first team in Division I.
Hunter McKinney, Madison: A senior defender, McKinney was an OCC and NCOSSCA Division I first team pick.
Matthew Martin, Ashland: A senior midfielder, Martin scored 11 goals and added five assists for the Arrows (9-6-3). He was selected to the OCC and NCOSSCA Division I first teams.
Eddie Meixner, Ashland: The senior defender was an OCC and NCOSSCA Division I first team pick. He scored two goals and had an assist.
Alex Baldasare, St. Peter’s: A senior forward, Baldasare helped the Spartans to a 9-6-1 record. He was selected to the NCOSSCA first team in Division III.
Michael Tridico, St. Peter’s: A senior midfielder, Tridico joined Baldasare on the NCOSSCA first team.
Shandon Kiah, Mansfield Senior: It was a tough season for the Tygers (2-12-2) but Kiah, a senior goal keeper, made an impression on the area’s coaches. He was selected to the OCC and NCOSSCA Division II first teams after registering a whopping 237 saves.
