Crestview’s boys soccer team had a run to remember and its two key offensive juggernauts that helped earn the team its first state runner-up trophy in school history were named to the Ohio Scholastic Soccer Coaches Association All-Ohio teams.

Crestview junior forward Nick Novak sparkled in the team’s most crucial moments in the tournament while leading the state in goals (57) and assists (44) across every division and for that he was named to the first team in Div. III.

“The goal tally really speaks for itself,” Crestview co-head coach Riley Mackall said. “He’s one of the top Div. III athletes in the state and is a force. His ability to control the ball and dribble is among the best. Another thing is he serves his teammates well and is deadly from anywhere in the 18.”

Even though he was a junior on a team with eight seniors Novak took a leadership role on the team.

“Even though he doesn’t wear the captain’s armband, the kids look to him,” Mackall said. “When were down against Ottawa Hills (in the state semifinal), he told the kids to keep their heads up and told them we would get our chances.”

Co-head coach Rob Auer felt Novak should have been named player of the year in Div. III (it went to Kirtland’s Marco Valentic instead), but he called Novak a dynamic player “who saved our season” in the tournament.

For his career, Novak has 114 goals and 87 assists. He plays his club soccer at Tri-County Soccer Club in Youngstown.

Auer said he isn’t aware of college interest for Novak yet as he is a junior.

“The college seasons are just ending now, so I suspect since he’s been in spotlight a little bit he’ll be getting some calls.”

Mitchell Auer, a tall, unrelenting attacking senior forward, was a second team in selection in Div. III with 40 goals and 27 assists. He led the Rebels in the Div. III state final against Grandview Heights with two clutch goals which allowed the Rebels to tie the game after a two-goal deficit.

“He’s a tall kid who has a powerful shot,” Mackall said. “He makes goalkeepers worry since he can put the ball anywhere.”

“He embodies what you want in an attacking midfielder or a striker,” said Rob Auer, Mitchell’s father.

Rob Auer said Mitchell switched off the the attacking mid and striker role with Novak every 10 minutes to allow for each player to get a little rest since the striker role in the Rebel offense isn’t always as active when other teams have possession.

“His shot placement and speed caused headaches for other teams,” Rob Auer said.

Mitchell had 79 goals and 52 assists for his high school career.

As for after high school, a lot has changed in the last few days.

“He’s a 4.0 student and his goal was to become an electrician up until a few days ago,” Rob Auer said. “Now he’s got colleges calling and he’s liking the idea of playing at the next level, so he’s talking about majoring in electrical engineering or business.”

United freshman Maddox Andrea showed a promising start to his high school career with 26 goals and eight assists as the Eagles made it to a Div. III district final, where they lost to eventual regional finalist Kirtland. He was named to the All-Ohio second team in Div. III.

Andrea had nine multi-goal games including two hat tricks.

“Coming into every season, especially after your program has graduated a phenomenal senior class, a huge question that overshadows the season is, who is going to put the ball in the back of the net?,” United coach Curtis Jones said. “Coming into this season I was confident that Maddox, despite being a freshman, would fill that role. Maddox shows poise under pressure and possesses a game vision beyond what you would expect from a freshman. He is the ideal striker with great ball control, exceptional foot skills, and a clinical finish. He has a natural talent of unbalancing defenses and making them pay attention to him; this often opens up his teammates and provides opportunities for them to score while our opponent is busy trying to man mark Maddox.”

Jones is excited to see what the future holds of Andrea.

“He is one of the most driven players I have had the privilege to coach and he plays with genuine passion and love for the ‘Beautiful Game’,” Jones said.

“I know this honor will motivate him in the offseason as he returns to his club team and begins preparation for next season.”

South Range senior midfielder Thomas Camden had a monster season with 44 goals and 26 assists as the Raiders finished 14-3-1 with a district final appearance and was named to Div. III first team. Fellow Raider senior Mark Naples was named a second team defender. Offensively Naples contributed three goals and three assists on a team which allowed 26 goals all season and had a 12-game winning streak. The Raiders also had six shutouts.

Soccer notes

• Rob Auer said he estimated the state final trip cost the school around $5,000. He said the team booked 10 hotel rooms and had meals at the Spaghetti Warehouse and a Dutch Haus-type restaurant on the way back from Columbus.

The Ohio High School Athletic Association no longer reimburses schools for tournament travel costs.