‘Stay focused’: Calm mentality keys Dublin Scioto boys soccer
Thursday, September 11, 2025
By Michael Rich
mrichnotwealthy@gmail.com
Dublin Scioto’s Angel Arellano (10) maneuvers around Worthington Kilbourne’s Caleb Kinderknecht (4) in their 0-0 draw on Sept. 4. Photos: Kevin Rouch
An outside observer might believe the Dublin Scioto boys soccer team is flying high after the program’s first trip to the state tournament last season – and they are.
But Angel Arellano is also using the experience as motivation in hopes of making his senior season even more memorable.
The Irish went on a run to the Division II state semifinal where it lost to Cuyahoga Falls Walsh Jesuit 2-1 to finish 14-6-2. But Arellano hopes that’s just a precursor to even bigger things this year.
“Having that loss kind of stung and we kind of use it as fuel for this year – pushing ourselves to get better to hopefully make it that far, if not, farther this year,” the forward said.
Mindset is a major factor for Scioto, which is 5-0-1 overall and 2-0-1 in OCC-Capital Division play after defeating Westland 6-2 Sept. 9.
“I think it’s pretty important since a lot of people put a lot of stress on themselves,” said Arellano, who has seven goals and two assists this season. “When you’re in a game, it’s really important to stay focused on the game (and) not get too distracted by the environment you’re in.”
Junior midfielder Carson Burch, who has five goals and an assist this season, is a key player and the nephew of Marc Burch, who spent 15 years in the MLS.
Dublin Scioto’s Carson Burch (6) prepares to kick it wide against the Worthington Kilbourne defense in a match earlier in September.
“My uncle tells me that I need to think that I’m the best on the field, said Burch, who was All-Ohio last season after finishing with seven goals and four assists. “I can perform as well as anyone out there and that I always need to have confidence and not be down on myself. If I’m starting to doubt myself, then I’ll just make myself play worse. So, I need to have confidence on the field.”
Burch is like a Swiss-Army knife. He does whatever Scioto needs of him.
“Carson is generally a center midfielder but can really play everywhere you need him to play,” said coach Erik Ekis, who is in his eighth season. “That’s the kind of player he is – if I need him to play left wing or right back, he’ll do it. He just does what’s best for the team.
“Carson is an impact player. He is a generational talent. His presence on the field is game changing. He’s got great vision (and) obviously, he’s very skilled. His intensity yet composure on the ball is fun to watch”
The key to all of it is staying level-headed.
“In the midfield, I try to bring composure to the team,” Burch said. “I try to keep things cool, try to keep all my teammates’ heads level, try to slow the game down a little bit if things are getting out of control. So, that’s been my role this season, as a leader.”
The Irish feature four seniors on a defense that has given up just one goal this season in Eric Neill (goalie), Steele Bell, Thomas Kinney and Brant Kockentiet. Their only semi-blemish was a scoreless tie with rival Worthington Kilbourne on Sept. 4.
Worthington Kilbourne’s Cam Ferris (2) tries to go over Dublin Scioto’s Alim Tinjak (5) on a contested ball during their game on Sept. 4.
“All (the seniors) have their own value on the field,” Ekis said. “It’s hard to highlight one and not the others because they all have things that they can contribute. The seniors (including midfielders Quinn Bunner and Lando Tang and forward Seth Silverstein) to me are amazing young men who’ve worked really hard. They’ve put their time and effort in for a number of years.”
Arellano is a key component to the offense, which has scored 21 goals this season. Last season, he had 17 goals and added seven assists.
“On the field, he’s not really the guy (that messes) around,” Burch said. “He’s always locked in, always doing his own thing. But sometimes like warmups and before training, he jokes (around). He’s a funny guy. You can see the two different sides of him within a 10-minute period, which is pretty cool. So, he changes his mindset really quickly.”
Arellano hopes to play at the next level where he plans to pursue something in the medical field.
“(I’d) just like to do my best,” he said. I (want to) help the team win as much as they can as well. Just (want to) be a great leader, be a great role model, to (help) the younger kids that are on the team and hopefully win (it all) this year as well.”
The Dublin Scioto boys soccer team lines up for the national anthem before their game with Worthington Kilbourne last week.