Like any year, the Cassville boys soccer team has set its sights on winning both the conference and the district, but this season, the team is putting a larger focus on smaller steps along the way.

The Wildcats went 13-9 last season, winning their final four straight before suffering a 5-3 loss to Monett in the Class 2, District 5 tournament.

Under new leadership this season with Curtis Ray succeeding Jake Forste, Cassville is intent on accumulating little achievements.

“They set the goal to have a low goals against average, they want to go out and score goals this year, and more importantly, they want to start connecting 70-80% of their passes instead of just moving down the field quickly,” Ray said. “So, they have a lot of small goals that they want to use to build up to achieve the big goals.”

Ray said the team is also setting standards off the field.

“A couple others I think they should be pretty proud of is they’re shooting for a team GPA at 3.0 and no [disciplinary actions in school],” Ray said. “They’re not just looking at soccer, they’re looking at goals that will help them in life too, which I think is pretty cool.”

Several experienced players will help set the tone on the field.

“Hugh Thao returns to starter; he brings a great defensive presence and a great understanding of the game, which is always good,” Ray said. “He’s also very skillful. He’s very technical in the way he approaches the game.”

Ray said senior Cayden Rhode will provide both speed and finishing ability.

“He provides speed and skill level and finishing that is top-notch,” he said.

The midfield will also feature playmakers.

“David Rehbach is another midfielder that is technically sound, has a great vision from the midfield area and can finish in and around the box just about from any angle,” Ray said. ‘Diego Ibarra brings an intensity and a creative nature, which is super fun to watch. He brings a lot of energy and excitement to the team.’

The Wildcats also return a strong core of defenders and goalkeepers.

“Logan Wingo, starting [goalkeeper] for us, just brings an absolute incredible awareness and an athletic ability to be able to save balls and dive through the air,” Ray said. “He has a great athletic ability, and the ability to be able to keep that goal against at a low margin.

“Zeb Blankenship returns as a defender. I believe he is faster, quicker and smarter than he was last year and definitely has better foot skills. He brings a leadership to that back line with multiple starts under his belt from last year.”

Ray added that senior Kaid Williams is among the team’s leaders.

“He brings a physical defensive style, but yet can attack and make line-breaking passes on the ground and on target,’ Ray said. ‘He just brings an overall presence to the team that helps set our tone for each and every game.”

Ray said depth across the roster will also benefit the team.

“Preston Driskill played a lot last year for us,” Ray said. “He’s got incredible endurance. His skills have improved from last year, and he sets the tone as far as our practices of how hard we’re running, how fast we’re running, how hard we’re working. He really sets the tone each and every game with his work ethic.

“Daniel Frazier got some time last year. He is a starter for us at center back. He brings height, vision and skill play from the back line that helps us build up with greater confidence. He also can drive the ball and find those diagonal passes deep and just bring some confidence to our back line.”

Ray said Mason Rillstone, Ian Quick, Noah Driskill, Crosby Harmon, Colton Beebe, Spencer Essary, Rylen Holman and Dave Zajac each bring their own strengths and competitiveness to the squad.

‘Noah is a fast, strong, physical player who has a lot of experience in Seven Valleys,’ Ray said. ‘He is injured right now, but we hope to have him back by the end of the month. Crosby brings some incredible tenacity. You wouldn’t know he’s a freshman the way he plays the game. He’s not scared of anyone. Colton reads the game really and has got some speed, so he’ll be playing in a substitution role. Spencer had a rough last year as a freshman. He broke a couple of different bones, but he’s gotten stronger in the off-season and he brings a willingness to do anything we ask.

‘Rylen is a junior I believe played for his first time at least in a while last year, and he’s a wrestler, so he has that mentality as far as never giving up. He’s always pushing forward, always trying to get better. It’s hard to get around Rylen. Dave, another freshman, is a great competitor. He is hardest on himself, which helps him to improve quickly as he’s constantly striving to be a better soccer player and a better teammate overall.’

The team will also rely on senior leadership from captain Diego Haros, who is working back from injury.

“He was injured in the off-season and underwent knee reconstruction but still brings an incredible leadership ability and is like a player coach from the sideline,” Ray said. “They’re willing to listen because they respect his gameplay. They respect his knowledge of the game, so he helps bring that coachability at their level that’s helped to keep us on task so far.”

Ray said Haros could return later in the season.

“He will be hopefully returning by October, but we’re waiting,” Ray said. “Hopefully by the time districts roll around, he’ll be able to finish out a senior year with us.”

With several upperclassmen unavailable, other players have stepped into leadership roles.

“Leaders on the field right now because of injuries would be Kaid and David, as well as Daniel,” Ray said. “It’s kind of tough to say because there are so many kids on this list who are striving to be leaders, doing the right things and showing up. They’re working hard, and as the saying goes, when the team leads, not the coaches, you’re building a championship atmosphere. That’s where we’re at right now.”

Ray said experience and comfort with the ball will be strengths this season.

“Our IQ has been the highest it’s been for years thanks to all the club and league soccer that they have played,” Ray said. “I would say the comfortability with the ball at their feet is nice. They’re not panicked with the ball on their foot.”

As a younger squad, the Wildcats’ main challenge, Ray said, will be learning patience.

“We’ve got a lot of sophomores, a lot of juniors and a good handful of freshmen, so they’re learning patience,” he said. “As they’re finding it, they’ll be able to play with anybody.”

Ray pointed to Monett as a key rival and said the district schedule will be tough.

“The game against Monett always stands out,” Ray said. “Other than that, I would say our district is probably the top district in the state, especially after Springfield Catholic has been added to it.”

Team chemistry will also play a role in Cassville’s success, and it’s a unique factor for the team, according to Ray.

“The camaraderie is incredible,” he said. “These guys really do love hanging out with each other. They are pushing each other and respecting each other.”

Ray has coached for Seven Valleys Soccer Club in Cassville for seven years and is in his first season as head coach after serving as an assistant for two years.

“It has been a fun season so far for my first year at the high school,” Ray said. “I couldn’t have asked better for a better crew or path to get here sitting under Jake Forste for the last couple of years, and I hope to continue building the culture he started 10 years ago.”

Ray said his previous experience with Seven Valleys helped make for a smooth transition.

“They knew who I was coming in because they’ve been around me,” Ray said. “Hanging around Seven Valleys and just being a part of that community, which is a great community, just kind of helped them to get to know me and vice versa.”