Five CIAC players to watch
Andy Demopoulos, Darien
The sophomore hit the scene hard when the Blue Wave played two games on Long Island a month ago, one of them on national television, and even in defeat made some eye-opening saves. There are lots of fine senior goalies around, several on FCIAC rivals alone, but he’s backstopping the No. 1 team in the state. Quintin O’Connell, New Canaan
NC to NC, he’s bound next for North Carolina, but the Rams’ midfielder brings a bit of everything to the Rams’ offense. He had four points in the FCIAC final, including a point on three goals in a row as they built a lead on Wilton.
Nick Alviti,
New Fairfield
He was an All-America defender last year as a junior, playing tough against some of the top offensive talents the Rebels saw. He again anchors the defense of a team that has key players back all over the field from that Class M championship team.
John DeLucia, Guilford
Hey, while we’re talking about top offensive talents that New Fairfield might see in the playoffs, DeLucia powers the Guilford offense, which nearly derailed the Rebels’ run last season in the quarterfinals. They’d meet in the semis this year if they both get there, and with the Quinnipiac-bound attackman and others, Guilford always has a chance. Mason Reale, Fairfield Prep
Co-SCC Player of the Year with DeLucia, Reale headlines the Jesuits offense. “He’s just a really creative player,” coach Graham Niemi said earlier this season, adding he’d asked Reale to distribute the ball more this year. The Jesuits usually get a lot of players involved, with him in the middle of it.