Mariemont boys soccer faces area rival Anderson on Tuesday, Aug. 18, in the first leg of the King of Hill tournament at McNicholas High School, with games at 5 p.m. and 7 p.m.
The Warriors enter the matchup with momentum from a 17-3-1 season in 2025 that ended in the Division IV regional semifinals. Head coach Erik Vanags returns two prolific scorers in seniors Aidan Gross and Santino Serger, who combined for 31 goals last fall.
Gross, who tallied 16 goals and 13 assists in 2025, earned All-Ohio, all-district and first-team All-Cincinnati Hills League honors. Vanags told the Cincinnati Enquirer in a July preseason preview that Gross is "one of the best attacking players he has coached in 30 years."
That's high praise from a coach with three decades on the sideline.
Serger added 15 goals and was a standout in the district tournament, scoring three times across two wins as Mariemont advanced to regionals.
Anderson brings its own postseason pedigree. The Raptors finished 12-4-4 in 2025 and reached the Division II regional final before falling to Kings 2-0, according to the Enquirer's regional preview. Senior Brady Dorko, who had 12 goals and six assists last season, returns to lead the attack.
The King of Hill tournament is hosted at McNicholas on Beechmont Avenue. A live stream is available via BoxCast for fans who cannot attend in person.
Mariemont opened its 2026 schedule Friday, Aug. 14, at Seven Hills School. The Warriors next travel to Ross High School on Thursday, Aug. 20, at 7 p.m., then visit Grandview Heights on Saturday, Aug. 22, at 2:30 p.m. Cincinnati Hills League play begins Saturday, Aug. 29, at McNicholas.
