UC Clermont men's soccer kicks off season

The UC Clermont College men’s soccer team had more than its share of bad luck during the 2017 season, both in injuries and some last-minute losses. The Cougars will be looking to make their own luck in the 2018 season, as Head Coach Pete Ohmer enters his fourth season with a committed roster and some returning talent.

“Each year we get better,” said Ohmer, who has been with the program since the beginning. “We are still working hard and started our training for this season at the beginning of August.”

Roster turnover does present a recurring challenge for Ohmer, as it can take time for players to gel and get used to playing with each other and in the style Ohmer prefers.

“We’re a young team, but they are excited and eager to start the season,” Ohmer said. “We’re looking really good.”

The team has three returning players who should play a key role in the Cougars’ fortunes. Goalkeeper Tyler Austin and midfielders Jalen Hjelmeng and Matthew Barnett will be counted on to provide some consistency. Newcomer Cody Busam (Colerain) should have a big impact on the team, according to Ohmer, and Logan Meyer (Princeton), Stephen Hobson (Milford) and Alex Snell (Fairfield) should anchor the defense.

A big challenge for UC Clermont is playing Division III schools in the National Association of Intercollegiate Athletics, with rosters full of seniors. The Cougars also travel to North Carolina to play Shaw University and Johnson & Wales University.

Ohmer said having a dedicated home field at West Clermont Middle School was a big development for UC Clermont, and the Cougars are eager to add to their win total in their second season on the field.

“The players are very committed,” he said. “Everyone has been there every day, and we have a good team culture; we just need to keep going throughout the season.”

Catch the Cougars in action — check out their game schedule at https://ucclermont.edu/athletics/MensSoccer/schedule.html.