Ironmen Media Day

Cherryville Ironmen Men's Soccer Media Day

Cole Kelly speaking on how he believes the team will improve - Cherryville Ironmen Media Day - August 5, 2026

Mason Beam (WNN)

Posted Monday, August 17, 2026 3:33 pm

By: Mason Beam - Wise News Network

Cherryville, NC (WNN) - After winning their first match, the Cherryville Ironmen Men's Soccer team needs one more win to beat the 1-20 score from last year's stats. These players and their newly assigned coach feel that this year will be different.

Media Day Full Video

Coach Brandon Shull

While Coach Shull is new to the soccer team, he is a face many of the players recognize due to his time coaching tennis and wrestling. Students who have had him describe him as very relaxed. He plans to bring the same attitude he had with the other two sports. This is a structural framework for good communication, and playing as a team will encourage these young men to give their best on the field. Shull feels that many of last year's losses could have had a completely different outcome with one or two touches. Given that their first game resulted in a victory, it is safe to say their strategies are working.

On the practice field, Coach Shull can be found running drills with all the players. Some activities are mock-ups of what may happen on the field against other teams, while others are fundamentals like passing. His team's anchors are Geo Martinez and Alex Alvarez in midfield, Cole Kelly as the striker, Gabriel Stergiou in center defense, and Ethan Johnson as the goalie. Shull also sees promise in several of the new team additions from Cherryville’s freshman class. Overall, he feels that focused practices will help curb the team's weaknesses and raise their strengths.

Players

Speaking to the team's strengths and weaknesses, Kelly feels that the team has a strong defense but struggles on offense. He wants to see less struggle when passing and for everyone to stay confident, so they turn the ball over less. They plan to get rid of their one-in-twenty mark from last year. This will come about with a change of culture. Kelly mentioned that the high school has never really been known for soccer. They have had different coaches almost every year. But with Shull being a familiar face, the team hopes to change this and see Cherryville Ironmen Athletics just as proud of its soccer program as it is of its cheer, volleyball, or baseball.

Cherryville Ironmen Men's Soccer practicing - Cherryville High School - August 7, 2026

The team also has more players, so they expect to see more rotations, which will help keep the players better hydrated and more rested. Players personally want to see more assists and stronger teamwork. Martinez is one of the team's multisport athletes, and he is excited enough for the program to make it his main sport. Kelly, the team's striker, also serves as the kicker, but he doesn't feel there is much crossover. Game two will start on August 17, 2026, and with one win under their belt, the team may very well show that last year’s record is a thing of the past after today.

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North Carolina Press Association Member

Cherryville Ironmen Men's Soccer Media Day

Media Day Full Video

Coach Brandon Shull

Players

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