Sometimes it's hard to make sense of the numbers. But here is what we know ...
Match photos click here.
Sometimes it’s hard to make sense of the numbers.
But here is what we know.
The Chagrin Falls Tigers Boys Soccer Team has played excellent soccer since losing to the Orange Lions on Sept. 10, 2024.
In fact, since that time, the Lions have won 15 games and only lost 3, which includes 7 straight victories to start the 2025 season.
The Tigers’ latest victory came after defeating the West Geauga Wolverines, 5-1, in the ‘Battle of 306’ on Sept. 4 at West Geauga High School.
Leading up to their victory over the Wolverines, the Tigers defeated Fairview (3-0), Kenston (4-0), Rootstown (6-0), Orange (2-0), Geneva (6-0), and Wickliffe (9-0). Thus, they outscored their opponents 30-0 in the first six games of the 2025 season.
With their 5-1 victory over the Wolverines on Sept. 4 at the newly renovated Howell Field, the Tigers have now outscored their opponents 35-1 to start the season.
So, could it be possible that these numbers are sending a message?
The Tigers have won 15 games and only lost 3 (315) since that pivotal game against the Lions almost a year ago.
In addition, they have started the season by outscoring their opponent, 35-1 (315).
In Ohio, we know that State Route 315, or the Olentangy Freeway, leads to Columbus (which will host the 2025 OHSAA Soccer State Championships).
Destiny?
Who knows of course, but it is fun to ponder an incredible post season run by the Tigers.
So with aspirations and confidence high, what was so pivotal about the loss to the Lions a year ago?
Senior Greg Perry, who also scored a goal in the Tigers victory over the Wolverines, explained that the loss to the Lions inspired him and his teammates to concentrate on improvement.
“After that Orange game, we realized that we really needed to step our game up,” Perry said. “We needed to start focusing on moving the ball better. And so we came back in the playoffs, beat them (Orange) in the first round and we’ve been up ever since.”
As Perry noted, the Tigers have been playing well, and the ‘Battle of 306’ against the Wolverines on Sept. 4 was no exception.
Perry said that the Tigers played good against the Wolverines by focusing on passing and moving the ball effectively.
Junior Colin Struk-Marn added that the Tigers victory over the Wolverines was a solid team effort and that they did a good job of moving the ball through the middle of the field and then back to the outside.
“Every single goal that we scored tonight was due to the whole team,” said Struk-Marn. “Everyone played a good part. We built through the middle, played it wide, and we were able to just finish all of our good chances, which is what I think allowed us to score five and beat them.”
Chagrin Falls Tigers Head Coach Brian McKenna said that the Wolverines played well and gave his team a good test.
After the Wolverines scored early in the second half, Coach McKenna said that the Tigers became more energetic and motivated.
“(The Wolverines) put in a really nice goal at the start of the second half which kind of woke up our team and got the players picking up the pace a little bit,” said Coach McKenna. “We had some nice passing, some good finishes and as we’ve seen throughout the season different people stepped up at different times.”
One individual who has stepped up for the Tigers throughout the season so far is senior standout, Ethan Johnson.
After playing his freshman year with the Tigers, Johnson played elite academy soccer for the past two seasons.
As a senior, Johnson has returned to lead Tigers Boys Soccer.
“The addition of Ethan Johnson, coming back for his senior season after playing in the academy for the past two years, kind of took (our team) to a higher level,” said Coach McKenna.
Against the Wolverines, Johnson led the Tigers with two assists. For the season, Johnson is tied with junior Colin Struk-Marn with nine assists.
Leading the Tigers offensively in their victory over the Wolverines were Struk-Marn (5 points – 2 goals, 1 assist), Ettinger (3 points – 1 goal, 1 assist), Harrison Horvath (2 points – 1 goal), Johnson (2 points – 2 assists), Perry (2 points – 1 goal) and Owen Edwards (1 point – 1 assist).
For the season, the Tigers have been led offensively by Struk-Marn (21 points – 6 goals, 9 assists), Edwards (15 points – 6 goals, 3 assists), Johnson (13 points – 2 goals, 9 assists), Ettinger (12 points – 5 goals, 2 assists) and Grayson Fisher (12 points – 5 goals, 2 assists).
In goal, junior Ethan Nielsen has been stellar as he has accumulated 19 saves and six shutouts for the season.
As the Tigers have played great soccer to start, they have high aspirations for the rest of the season.
Juniors Ettinger and Struk-Marn, who had three of the five Tigers goals against the Wolverines said that they would like to go undefeated in the regular season, 17-0, and go to states.
“Obviously we would like to keep the winning streak going, going undefeated (17-0),” Ettinger said. “And then getting to states this year is probably our goal.”
Added Struk-Marn, “17-0 is obviously the goal. But we can never take any team lightly. Everything’s got to be serious. And as long as we stay focused we can definitely be undefeated and make it deep into states.”
