H.S. BOYS’ SOCCER / 2017 PREVIEW
ECC Division I East Lyme Coach: Paul Christensen (30th year)
Key returnees: Sr. M Conrad French, Sr. M/D Nick Esposito. Jr. F Alec Kosinski, Sr. G Sean Heaney, Sr. D Gianluca Mazzi, Sr. M Jack Seibel, Sr. D Nick Tricarico, Sr. M Luke Wojcik.
Top newcomers: Jr. M Katt Kung, Jr. F Duncan Manthous, Sr. F Riley Carr, Sr. D Trevor Somes, Sr. D Jared Subiono, Sr. M Aldo Venditti, Sr. M Ryan Bellandese, Jr. F/M Aiden Arsenault, Jr. D Brian Callegari, Jr. M Cesar Navas, So. M Finn Power, So. M Kurt Mahlke, Jr. G Sunny Lall.
Outlook: The Vikings reached the ECC tournament final and won a Class L state tournament first-round game a year ago. East Lyme returns only three starters, including ECC All-Star Kosinski up front, but Christensen said there is enough talent for the Vikings to be successful and competitive within the division. "We will need time to develop and jell as a team, which will hopefully come quickly," he said. Fitch
Coach: Jay Wolfradt (8th year)
Key returnees: Sr. G Wes Jacy, Sr. M Cal Jacey, So. D/F Giovanni Valentine, So. M/F Caleb Robbins, Jr. D Tyler Cady, Jr. D Tom Taber, So. D/F Keshay Patel, Jr. M-F Andrew Kerst.
Top newcomers: Jr. M Trey Adams, Fr. M/F Eric Leuchner, Fr. M Alex Delcampo, Fr. D Ian Roche, So. M/D Will Miner, So. D Jackson Meuse, So. M Owen Henderson, Jr. F Manish Rane-Castrodad, Jr. M/F Colin Fahey, Jr. D Shamus McLean, Fr. M Aiden McLean, Jr. M Aiden Sullivan.
Outlook: The Falcons went 8-8, their most wins since 1998, but were hit hard by graduation, particularly on the back line. Cady and Taber will lead from the back, while Fahey has the ability to be dangerous up front to make up for the graduation loss of ECC all-star Meshama Charles. Fitch should have an opportunity to return to the postseason. Ledyard
Coach: Bill Glenney (15th year)
Key returnees: Sr. G Carl Bien-Aime, Sr. M Chris Charette, Sr. D Brandon Donovan, Sr. F Trevor Hutchins, Sr. M Jakob Maranzano, Sr. M Nate McCracken, Sr. D Will Reynolds, Sr. M Jack Woodruff, Jr. D Nick Bailey, Jr. D Adam Crawford, Jr. M Cole Dirico, Jr. F Ian Kamperschroer.
Top newcomers: Sr. G Pete Geoly, Sr. M A.J. Hoth, Sr. D Kyle Krupansky, Sr. M Berkeley Wachtmann, Jr. F Ben Gordon, Jr. G Ken Turner, So. M Wes Hughes, So. D Xander Hutchins, So. F Fabian May.
Outlook: The Colonels reached the Class M quarterfinals a year ago and return a veteran cast that should make for a competitive season in a tough division. Glenney has plenty of depth and versatility throughout his lineup and he is intrigued by first-year goalie Turner, a former football player who brings size and athleticism in front of the net. Norwich Free Academy
Coach: Robert Briones (21st year) Key returnees: Sr. F Nathan Cherenzia, Sr. D Alex Jacobik, Sr. F Armstrong Alcius, Jr. D Jair Trigoso, Jr. M Mason Larkin, Jr. M/F Wenderson Delphin, Jr. G Troy Maurer, Jr. G Ryan Godino, Jr. D Jonathan Synott.
Top newcomers: Jr. M Andrew Gromko, Jr. M Jack Allen, Jr. D John Martin, So. M/F Maxwell Knowlton, So. M Jackson Guerton, So. M Christo Moran-Vargas.
Outlook: The Wildcats are the reigning Division I champions, and Briones expects NFA to compete for another title and improve upon last year's .500 overall regular season (7-7). Cherenzia is a dangerous threat up front. ECC Division II Montville Coach: Colin Delaney (14th year)
Key returnees: Jr. D Jack Minas, Jr. D/M Sean Murallo, Jr. D Derek Strickland, Jr. M/G Julian Valdes, Jr. M Jack Varley, Jr. M Tyler Velazquez, Sr. D Joseph Andrews, Sr. M/F Ethan Rose, Sr. D Karl Siismets, Sr. M Mario Vicente.
Top newcomers: Fr. D/M Jacob Rose, So. M Quinn Bond, Jr. D Iain Hatchhett, Jr. M Rishi Iyer, Jr. M Ashwin Kuruchi, Jr. M Trey Tschopp, Sr. D/M Zach Boyles, Sr. M/F Daltyn Butler, Sr. G Nick Donnell, Sr. D/M Ryan Riggs, Sr. M/F Alejandro Santos, Sr. G Jose Zuniga.
Outlook: The Indians return six starters, including ECC All-Star Ethan Rose, a versatile player who can play up front or in the midfield. Andrews and Minas are experience defenders while Velazquez, Valdes, Varley and Vicente and dangerous on the attack. Delaney
believes Montville's versatility will keep them competitive in the division and a threat to return to the Class M state tournament. Stonington
Coach: Paul deCastro (10th year)
Key returnees: Sr. F Jack Cullen, Sr. M Steven DeVoe, Sr. M Blake Edwards, Sr. G Adam Gibbs, Sr. M Will Hardy, Sr. D Luke Monteiro, Sr. M Harrison Hoops, Sr. M Jason Kilcoyne, Sr. D Shane Smith, Sr. D Cam Whalen, Jr. M Graham Johnstone, Jr. F Jamison Magowan, Jr. D R.J. Parrilla, So. M Ty Fidrych.
Top newcomers: Jr. M Kolin Fristcher, Jr. D Joey Hinckley, Jr. M Jake O'Keefe, Jr. D Martin Vernet, Jr. F Max Wojtas, So. M Will Cannella, So. D Rhys Hammond.
Outlook: There's reason for optimism at Stonington, which returns 10 seniors and plenty of experience from a team that captured the ECC tournament. The Bears are really strong in the back with the return of ECC All-Star Whalen, Gibbs, Parrilla, Smith and Hardy. DeCastro also likes the Bears' balance up front and expects Stonington to compete for the division title and make strong runs in the ECC and Class M tournaments. Waterford
Coach: Joe Mendonca Jr. (7th year) Key returnees: Sr. M Brent Rutchick, Sr. F Logan Bowdish, Jr. M Harrison Seale, Jr. F Avery Albanese, Jr. M Robbie Negahban, Jr. D James Gregg, Sr. D Austin Abate.
Top newcomers: Jr. G Alex Fayan, So. D Abraham Gollsneider, So. M Jose Guevara Gomez, So. K A.J. Sachatello.
Outook: The Lancers are in a rebuilding mode after graduating 13 seniors, nine starters and six players who received AllECC honors, including two-time All-New England forward Dan Castelpoggi. But despite those losses, Waterford doesn't lack quality and Mendonca expects the Lancers to be competitive within the division. ECC Division III St. Bernard Coach: Joe Purtill (7th year) Key returnees: Sr. D Jack O'Leary, Sr. F Hunter Baillargeon, Sr. M Kaen Etienne, Jr. M Jonathan Foster.
Top newcomers: Sr. D Charles Anderson, Sr. M Anthony Hindle, Sr. D Jacob Chase, Jr. G Quincy Francois, Jr. D Kyle Clement, Jr. D Burke Niles, Jr. M Aaron Calouro, Jr. M David Crowe, Jr. D Patrick Frechette, So. M Billy Niles, So. D. Zach Weimert, Jr. D Dan Kelly, So. M Peter Lawton, Fr. F Shane Sutton, Fr. G Ryan Crowe, Fr. F Perry Belfiglio, Fr. G Martin Arvidson, Fr. F John Tischio, So. M Matt Graul, Sr. D Brian Bergeron.
Outlook: The Saints qualified for the Class S state tournament a year. Purtill has spent a good portion of the preseason organizing St. Bernard's defensive shape, and he is confident the Saints can create scoring chances and return to the state tournament. Wheeler Coach: Joe Mendonca Sr. (20th year) Key returnees: Sr. M Ryan Condon, Sr. F Cody Johnson, So. G Bower Baker, So. M Ian Spracklin, So. F Scott Pion, So. M Conor Melinosky, Jr. D Seth Jones, Jr. F Samson Hauptmann. Top newcomers: Jr. D Mike Warren, So. D Aidan Cameron, Fr. D Lukas Jones, So. F Dylan Davino, So. M Ethan Foberg. Outlook: Mendonca went with a youth movement in 2016, the Lions were much more competitive as the season wore on and he expects Wheeler to be a factor in the division and challenge for a Class S state tournament bid. Baker, Spracklin, Pion and Melinosky gained invaluable varsity experience as freshmen. Others Grasso Tech Coach: Paul Jones (6th year) Key returnees: Jr. Kevin Duarte, Sr. Allen Munton, So. D. Rojuan Henry.
Outlook: The Eagles went 3-11-2 a year ago and take a young team into their first season in the new Connecticut Technical Conference. Jones is rebuilding both his defense and midfield areas. Norwich Tech Coach: Jamie Lamitie (5th year) Key returnees: Sr. F Evan Socha, Sr. M Mariano Alarcon, Jr. M Kevin Porras, Sr. D Anthony Parmoleau, Sr. D Bailey Lorinski, So. M Ben McKenzie, Jr. G Don Duca. Top newcomers: Fr. D Vincent Cote, Fr. D C.J. Fusco, Fr. D Zakary Jackson, Fr. M Kenny McKenna, Fr. M Kameron Kosma. Outlook: The Warriors are young, but Lamitie does have a nice mix of youth and experience as they embark on their first season in the Connecticut Technical Conference. "We are looking forward to some of the returning players stepping up and playing a more vital role in our success," Lamitie said. Old Lyme Coach: Marc Vendetti (20th year) Key returnees: Sr. D Matt Cushman, Sr.F/M Mark Neithamer, So. G Ryan Tetreault, Sr. M Ethan Harris, Jr. F Evan Getz, Jr. F Quinn Romeo, Jr. D Liam Holloway.
Top newcomers: Jr. M Peter Sherman, So. M Sam Roth, Jr. B Noah Rumm, So. M Garrett Smith, Fr. M/B Michael Milazzo.
Outlook: The Wildcats graduated some key talent (and 27 goals) from a team that advanced to the Class S second round. But Old Lyme is always a factor in the Shoreline Conference, and Vendetti is optimistic about the growth and development of some of his younger players. "We lack experience and size," Vendetti said, "but have upsides in pace, technical ability and desire." Williams
Coach: Dean Taylor (1st year) Key returnees: Sr. M Fehme Braish, Sr. D Andrew Little, Sr. M Callum Tresnan. Top newcomer: Fr. F/M Grayson Guinan. Outlook: Taylor begins his tenure with an experienced cast that includes eight seniors. The Blues also have some young talent that will get an opportunity perform at the varsity level this fall.