<body><div><figure><img src="https://img.particlenews.com/image.php?type=thumbnail_580x000&amp;url=3M0O54_1Gpdk4zB00" alt="https://img.particlenews.com/image.php?url=3M0O54_1Gpdk4zB00" width="773" height="581" ><figcaption>Solon junior defender Aiden Blumenthal chases down an opposing player during a recent match. Submitted photo</figcaption></figure>Aiden Blumenthal remembers standing on the sideline during the Solon High School boys’ soccer team’s Ohio High School Athletic Association district championship against rival Twinsburg last season and feeling helpless. A concussion had kept the defender out of the game as the Comets were knocked out in a 1-0 loss.So, heading into the postseason healthy this year, the junior made sure to have an impact.Blumenthal has played a key role in a Solon defense that has been dominant, rolling through the regular season to a 12-4 record and defeating Eastlake North, 6-1, and Hudson, 2-1, in the title game on its way to a Division II district title.For his stellar performance, Aiden is the Cleveland Jewish News-Les Levine High School Player of the Week.“Coming into this year’s district final and being able to play and do what I can to help the team felt really good,” Aiden told the Cleveland Jewish News. “After our win over Hudson, the team’s overall spirit hasn’t been higher. We’re playing harder and harder teams as they dwindle down in Division II. This is one of the best chances a team in Solon is going to have to reach the elite eight regional final level, and we’re really looking forward to just playing our game. We truly believe that no one in Division II can outplay us, we’re just playing against ourselves every game.”The Comets were to play Lakewood in a regional semifinal on Nov. 4.Aiden started playing soccer when he was around 3 years old, kicking the ball around in the backyard with his father, Adam, who played for University School and was a member of the 1993 state runner-up squad and, after college, was the Preppers’ head coach for several years. He now coaches his son in travel soccer and is an assistant coach for Solon.In addition to playing for the Comets, Aiden plays for the Avon-based T3 Futbol Club.“The most important part of playing to me is the people I do it with,” he said. “My closest friend group stemmed from soccer. I also think it’s a great way to exercise, and it’s honestly just pretty fun to play. It’s fun to watch every time the World Cup or a major soccer game comes around. I support Arsenal, I try to watch all of their games. Soccer has been a great experience that I’m happy to have had.”A striker until his freshman year, Aiden switched to midfielder before becoming a defender during his sophomore year because the Comets needed a second defender. It was a good opportunity to get on the field as a younger player, and he adapted to the new position quickly.“My job is kind of simple: stick with one guy,” he said. “I can’t let them turn and can’t let them get by me. I need to be the more physical player and win all the balls in the air. We play as a team, and our mentality is no mistakes in the back. You don’t have to do anything more than you have to – if everybody does their job and contributes to their role on the team, we’ll be successful.”Solon is averaging 1.1 goals per game this season, and it only allowed more than two goals in a single match once this season, a 4-2 loss to Shaker Heights back on Aug. 18. In 12 of its 18 games, the Comets allowed one or zero scores.“Our goalkeeper is excellent, one of the best in the state,” Aiden said. “James - we call him Jimmer - McMeechan. He’s been key and having his voice and overall presence back there has been really good. My club teammate, Bruno Rinaldi plays as a sweeper and he talks really well and does a nice job commanding the defense. Our two outside backs both didn’t play varsity last year but stepped into their roles and have been terrific. We’ve gotten better at winning balls in the air and playing with fire in the back, working to get the ball up and out to our mid-attacking players.”Regardless of the outcome of the postseason, Aiden is excited to take on a bigger role as a senior leader next season and help the Comets uphold the high standard they’ve built for themselves.</div></body>

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Aiden Blumenthal remembers standing on the sideline during the Solon High School boys’ soccer team’s Ohio High School Athletic Association district championship against rival Twinsburg last season and feeling helpless. A concussion had kept the defender out of the game as the Comets were knocked out in a 1-0 loss.

Aiden Blumenthal | Solon High School Soccer

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Aiden Blumenthal remembers standing on the sideline during the Solon High School boys’ soccer team’s Ohio High School Athletic Association district champio

Aiden Blumenthal | Solon High School Soccer

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