NW Lehigh the favorite, but others are hopeful
There will be a fresh but familiar face roaming area soccer fields when the Colonial League kicks off its boys season this weekend.
Trevor Koski, a 23-year-old former Liberty High and Lehigh University player, was hired as the head coach at Notre Dame-Green Pond earlier this month.
“I heard about the position through a fellow coach, [Moravian Academy athletic director] Manny Oudin, who recommended I reach out to Ms. Rogers [Notre Dame-GP AD Amy Rogers],” said Koski, a son of longtime Lehigh coach Dean Koski.
“So I got in touch, and before I knew it I was the new head coach. This all happened in early August, so it was a quick turnaround. Everything has gone very smoothly thus far.”
Koski has two younger brothers involved in Lehigh Valley soccer: Spencer is coaching and Blake is a Lehigh University goalie. Trevor inherits a program that won four consecutive District 11 Class 2A crowns from 2017-2020.
NDGP lost 2-0 to Central Catholic in last season’s 2A final.
“I am super excited about taking this position,” Koski said. “I’m very optimistic about this team.”
The Crusaders should be contenders in the 13-team league, but they are not the favorites to win the postseason title.
Northwestern Lehigh is loaded on offense and the preseason pick to capture a second straight crown. Moravian Academy and Southern Lehigh should challenge the Tigers.
Here’s a closer look at the Colonial League landscape:
Preseason pick
Northwestern Lehigh: Coach Nathan Hunsicker’s Tigers (17-5-1 overall last season, 9-3 league) got healthy and hot at the right time a season ago. They put a midseason slump in the rearview mirror and captured league and District 11 Class 3A crowns.
Offense will not be an issue for Northwestern. Junior Matt Johnson (23 goals, 10 assists), seniors Josh Zellner (17 goals, seven assists) and Cayden Fitch (three goals, 10 assists) and sophomore Jack Mauro (five goals, 10 assists) all return.
A couple of talented sophomores assume starting roles at key positions.
“We expect to be very dangerous offensively this year,” Hunsicker said. “This is a lofty statement, but this could be the most potent offensive team I’ve ever coached.”
3 top-tier teams
Moravian Academy: The Lions’ Class 1A dynasty will, barring a minor miracle, continue this season. The program is aiming for its 10th consecutive District 11 championship — and it should be a formality.
Competition in the Colonial League and at the state level is what motivates Moravian Academy (18-4, 10-1).
The Lions should fare well in all parts of their season. Coach George Andriko’s squad brings back seniors Trey Sheeler (defense; 11 goals, five assists), AJ Kara (defense) and Rafi Sanjuan (midfield; six goals, 12 assists). Junior George Husack (midfield; six goals, five assists) also returns.
“Our central midfield is our greatest strength,” Andriko said. “Our players are experienced, technically gifted and possess great soccer IQ.”
Notre Dame-GP: Graduation hit the Crusaders (17-5-1, 10-2) hard. The senior class is small (three), but there is talent in grades 9-11, according to coach Trevor Koski. Where exactly NDGP fits into the league landscape is the question.
Juniors Cameron Bohn (forward; 10 goals, five assists) and Collin Boyle (defense; one goal, three assists) return. Also back is sophomore Paul Hartman (five goals, one assist).
“We have a very talented group of players, [a] lot of guys growing into leadership roles as juniors,” Koski said. “We may lack a bit of experience with only three seniors, but we certainly don’t lack confidence.”
Southern Lehigh: Coach Mark Evans’ Spartans (17-6-1, 10-2) return an outstanding nucleus of eight seniors, including four-year starter and captain Landon Bealer (midfielder).
The other 12th graders returning to the lineup are Ethan Hoang (defender), Jack Jackson (midfield), Tucker Mack (defense/midfield), Michael O’Neill (defense), Ayden Scharper (goalie), Brandon Verna (midfield) and Justin Zeits (defense).
“We’re blessed with strong senior leadership,” Evans said. “Our team goals never change: We want to challenge for a Colonial League and District 11 title.”
1 to watch
Bangor: Coach James Ellison is back in charge for a second season, and the Slaters (9-9, 6-6) upped their win total from five in 2020 to nine in 2021 under his watch. They’ll look to be a league contender in 2022.
Senior captains Hayden Burns (midfield) and Kaden Dowd (forward) will be counted on for leadership as well as production. Junior Markus Kiernan (forward) is poised to put up big numbers.
“We’re looking to build on the culture and system we started last year,” Ellison said. “Our program’s focus is TEAM (Together Everybody Achieves More).”
4 elite individuals
Landon Bealer, Southern Lehigh: A captain and four-year starter, the Spartans’ Bealer is back as perhaps the No. 1 playmaker in the league. He produced seven goals and 15 assists last year after tallying 11 goals as a sophomore.
Seth Ford, Palisades: The Pirates will need Ford to drive the team offensively if they hope to compete for a playoff berth. He scored 10 goals as a junior, and that number should increase significantly this fall.
Matt Johnson, Northwestern Lehigh: This dangerous striker is the league’s No. 1 returning scorer after a breakout sophomore season. Johnson posted 56 points and was at his best in the Tigers’ postseason. He has plenty of help, so the opposition will need to defend wisely.
Trey Sheeler, Moravian Academy: The dominant defender in the Colonial League is also a weapon on set pieces. He produced 27 points as a junior. Expect Sheeler to be deployed from several positions for the Lions.
The best of the rest
Salisbury (7-9, 3-9) returns a core of four for coach Mark Allinson, the league’s longest-tenured coach, who enters his 29th season with the program.
Senior Noah Kichline (midfield), juniors Jacob Knerr (defense) and Jack Monahan (forward; seven goals, five assists) and sophomore Alejandro Zuniga Garcia (forward) are returnees for the Falcons.
Saucon Valley (8-8, 8-4) bounced back from a dismal season two years ago with a .500 campaign last fall. Coach Christopher Nagy returns for a third season and has two experienced seniors who will be expected to lead the Panthers.
Oscar Valencia (midfielder; 11 goals, eight assists) and Matt Corcoran (midfield; three goals, one assist) serve as team leaders after the program graduated six starters.
Wilson (9-10, 5-7) graduated the league’s No. 1 scorer in Wilson Bibiano, but the Warriors should still be able to score with frequency this fall.
Coach Mike Buskirk’s squad will start only two seniors and should be led by the junior trio of Cooper Miller (eight goals, 12 assists), Benji Amador (seven goals, 18 assists) and goalie Sean Creegan.
Palisades (10-9, 8-4) earned a playoff berth in Cooper Moyer’s only season as coach at his alma mater. Jeff Harlow takes over a Pirates team that is expected to be led by seniors Seth Ford and Bryce Guthier.
Northern Lehigh (0-18, 0-12) was the league’s only winless team a season, ago but the Bulldogs aim to show progress in coach John Murray’s second season. Seniors Bryce LoPinto and Ethan Kunkle return as experienced starters.