Norwalk soccer teams blank Vermilion

The "reload" is off to a solid start. Last season, the Norwalk boys soccer team finished 12-5-2 overall and 7-1-1 in the Sandusky Bay Conference. The Truckers also won a Division III sectional title and competed in a 4-2 loss to powerhouse Mansfield Madison. But that Norwalk team also had nine seniors under a first-year head coach. Now, Chris Schnell is piecing together another contender with just two seniors among his eight returning letter winners. The Truckers continued to take further steps in Wednesday's 4-0 win over visiting Vermilion in an SBC match at Contractors Stadium. Norwalk is 3-3 overall, but 3-0 in the league with three shutout wins by a combined 20-0 score. "That's three for us (shutouts), and that's definitely what you want to see," Schnell said. "Vermilion is a strong program that is maybe a bit down from what they've been, but you always have to be ready against them." Norwalk led 3-0 at halftime, and added one more goal in the final 20 minutes. Junior Johan Ramos, junior Connor Nickle, senior Landon Ferkel and junior Kingston Gonzales scored for the Truckers. Nickle and Ramos also had assists, as did freshman Noah Jameson. "Johan is in the center for us, and we put him there after camp was over," Schnell said. "He played some scrimmages there, but now he is really holding down that center spot well." Schnell also cited the play of juniors Roman Snyder and Bryan Bravo on defense. "Roman had a really good match on our back line," he said. "He's having a really good year. We kind of moved some people around, but Bryan at right back also played really well in what was his first extended playing time. "(Senior) Corbin Sigg is also doing well, but really, the whole back is doing well. Freshman Abe Linder made five saves in goal for the Truckers, who have non-league losses to Upper Sandusky, Clear Fork and Mansfield Madison. "Abe has played high level in club, and he's figuring it out," Schnell said. Norwalk hosts Ontario (0-4) in non-league play on Saturday afternoon. Then comes a Monday trip to Willard. "I'm happy with where we are," Schnell said. "I was hoping we'd be a little further ahead, but I think every coach says that. We're not in a bad spot right now. We're replacing a lot of seniors, but we bring back a solid core of kids who know how to win. "Do I think we could be better? Yes. But we're in a good spot where we are in our schedule." GIRLS SOCCER Norwalk 7, Vermilion 0 In the first match of the doubleheader, the Trucker girls improved to 5-1 overall and 3-0 in the league with Wednesday's shutout of the Sailors. Claire Spettle ahead led the scoring charge for Norwalk with four goals. Audrey Sanders added two goals, while the seventh score went to CJ Bennett. Ella Andrews and Xavi Immel each had an assist for Norwalk, which has a key SBC match Monday at Woodmore. The Truckers, who are 64-2-3 all-time in league matches since joining the SBC in 2017, went 9-1 last season and won a sixth league title in eight years. That included a 1-0 win over Woodmore, which is off to a 4-0 start in 2025.