IR soccer standout commits to Lock Haven

Soccer has been a passion for Indian River High School senior Jake Buchler as long as he can remember. He’s assumed every role on the pitch, and his experience has allowed him to excel with comparative ease. The four-year varsity letterman even showed off his boot on the gridiron as the kicker for the IRHS football team. And, this fall, Buchler will be headed to Lock Haven in Pennsylvania, where he will look to make a significant contribution to the Bald Eagles’ soccer team, which finished this past season 7-10-2.

Coastal Point
Indian River senior Jake Buchler committed to playing soccer Lock Haven University in Pennsylvania starting this fall. Buchler, a co-captain of this year's team, anchored the Indians' backfield.

“I remember starting out when I was only 5 years old at the River Soccer Club,” Buchler recalled this week. “I remember kicking the ball around with all the high school players who are now 30 years old. I progressed through middle school, and then high school flew by.”

In his last seasons at Indian River, Buchler primarily played as a defensive mid, anchoring the team on the field, controlling much of the team’s defensive progression. He helped the Indians wrap up a 12-3 record as they outscored opponents 51-12. They advanced to the state tournament’s second round before falling to Caravel Academy, which eventually went on to take the state title.

This winter, Buchler was recognized at the All-Star Soccer banquet in Dover, named within the Top XI Team All-State, one of only two players in the Henlopen South to do so. He also garnered First Team Henlopen All-Conference honors at the ceremony and served as a co-captain for the Indians’ varsity team.

“I have improved my skills a lot over the years,” said Buchler. “My parents took me to any games I wanted to go to, and they’ve let me play on whatever teams I wanted. They were always there for me, and I have to thank them a lot for that.”

He also recognized Indian River’s soccer coach, Steve Kilby, who has also served as director of coaching at River Soccer Club.

“I started playing at the club under Kilby when I was 11 or 12,” Buchler said. “He really helped me to develop. He contacted soccer coaches from different colleges and had them visit. Without his help, I would not be where I am today.”

Buchler was torn between schools in the months leading up to his signing with Lock Haven, with thoughts toward UNC Wilmington and a few schools around San Diego, Calif.

“It will definitely be tough leaving the beach,” he said, “but I think it will be a good fit.”

His grandfather, too, was a graduate of the Pennsylvania university.

“I’ve had a chance to check out the campus and meet the coach,” said Jake Buchler. “I’ve met some of the team, too.”

Kilby said he was pleased to see yet another rising star assume a role on a Division II team.

“It’s really amazing to see Jake take his game to that next level,” Kilby noted. “He’s been the most recent in a long line of center backs who have had a tremendous impact on the team. He has really stepped into a linchpin position for our 3-5-2 system. Personally, at the college level, I can see him as a defensive mid instead of a center back, but Jake’s played every position for us in his four years. He has the ability to play in a number of spots.”

Indian River Athletic Director Todd Fuhrmann has grown accustomed to seeing student athletes excel, both in the classrooms and on the fields, and Buchler is no exception.

“It’s truly a great thing to have Jake take that next step,” said Fuhrmann. “It just continues to show that our students are academically and athletically strong. It shows that things can happen when you put your mind to it, and you can really reach your goals when you work toward them. This is a great opportunity for Jake.”

Kilby said he has no doubts that Buchler will be able to go far in soccer.

“The success of the River Soccer Program,” he said, “is a combination of a couple of things. It’s about having committed players who end up developing a love for the game. We try to instill commitment and work ethic, both at the high school and club levels. Teachers, coaches and parents have all done a great job at producing these fine athletes and giving them that drive.”

Buchler’s fall season will get off to an exciting start as he will face former teammate and good friend Peter Mais in the opening game of the season. Mais, who graduated from Indian River just last year, assumed a role at West Chester, a conference rival of Lock Haven.

“It’s pretty wild that the first game I get to experience at the college level, I’ll be playing my next-door neighbor,” said Buchler. “It should be a lot of fun.”