Coming off a 2-14 season a year ago, Macomb High boys soccer coach Kelly Ingersoll enters 2026 with a youthful squad that includes 10 freshmen among the 20 listed on the varsity roster.
“We’ve had an influx of new players, freshmen,” said Ingersoll.
“I’m very excited about their attitude,” he added. “They’re hard-working. They love soccer and it’s apparent. The team is jelling really well as a team.”
“I’m just really proud of my boys and the way they handled themselves,” said Ingersoll. “They’re just really good kids and they’re fun to coach.”
“I’m excited to see where the program goes, even beyond this year,” he continued. “But I think we can still do some really wonderful things this year.”
And with the Macomb Soccer club creating a feeder program, the fortunes look to be on an upswing.
As for this year’s team, three seniors return to lead the way.
Maksim Daytner is back in goal, while Carter Ingledue returns as the center back on defense.
“They’re both going to position themselves well and be in the right spot,” said Ingersoll. “They’ve already saved us a ton with their ability and skill.”
The third senior returning is Theo Offei, who joins Daytner and Ingledue as team captains.
“These seniors are high-quality kids and they absolutely love soccer,” said Ingersoll. “They’ve been leading for two years anyway just by how they handle themselves and how they take care of their business.”
“Those three seniors are vital to the success of the program,” he added. “No matter what we do this year, the program is on a higher trajectory because of them.”
“I challenged these seniors to teach these kids to do things the right way,” said Ingersoll. “That might end up being their legacy as seniors.”
The fourth captain for the squad is junior forward Jairon Royer.
“He’s much stronger and faster and is really providing a spark for us offensively,” said Ingersoll.
The team opened the season facing the United Township JV squad, dropping a 3-1 decision, “It was a much-more competitive way to begin the season,” said Ingersoll. “That was wonderful for us. We had no injuries. Last year in our first match, we lost four players.”
Playing UT’s varsity last year, the Bombers lost 9-0.
Heading down to Quincy to face Canton, Mo. in tournament play last week, freshmen Frasier Brown and Sean Ogbonnaya scored goals in the Bombers’ 2-0 win.
Even though the team lost 8-0 to host Quincy High on Saturday, the Bombers battled, avoiding the mercy rule in completing the match.
“I think that shows improvement already,” said Ingersoll. “I was pleased with the effort. Everybody was doing a really good job.”
Other returners for the Bombers include sophomore Carson Martin, the team’s reserve goalie, but also the left back on defense.
Junior Boston Overstreet plays outside left in the midfield.
Among the newcomers are freshman Faraz Khan at right back on defense.
“We think he’s going to grow into being a shut-down defender some day,” said Ingersoll. He still has a lot of room to grow and improve at this point. But he’s played every minute of every match so far.”
Ingersoll noted this summer saw a marked increase of players putting in the time and effort during contact days.
“I don’t know if it’s anything that I’ve changed,” said Ingersoll. “But we had a better summer participation. I think we’re in better shape than we were last year. That was something that we needed to do better. We needed to be better conditioned for the rigours of the season.”
“We had more commitment from the players for the summer,” he added. “The fact we had more kids at (contact days) during the summer and were committed to the idea (of attending), it was a really good summer.”
Despite the addition of new players, depth remains a concern for the Bombers.
“We’re not exceedingly deep,” said Ingersoll.
“We’ll play as many JV games as we can and then see what we can do to get as many as we can in without jeopardizing the varsity,” he added.
Meanwhile, the goals and expectations for Ingersoll and the team are simple.
“More wins than last year and at least one win in the postseason,” said Ingersoll. “Those are some of the big goals.”
“I said it last year and we weren’t able to do it,” he added. “But I think this year we might be able to do it. Win the games that we’re supposed to win and surprise some folks, just because you out-worked the other team and pressed them hard.”
In order for that to happen, Ingersoll stated that the team needs to work together and be in the correct position on the pitch.
“We talk all the time about spacial awareness and being aware of your teammates,” said Ingersoll. “Communication on the field is key.”
