SWC contenders led by talented coaching
Last year showed the unpredictability of the SWC as Weston finally claimed its first SWC title after being in contention for years.
What isn’t up for argument is the quality of coaching the league possesses.
A glance at each roster and the man who leads them reveals one standout coach after another who has built a steady program at their school. Barlow’s Paul Winstanley has constructed an entire culture from the youth level in his 15 years with the team, delivering six SWC titles in that time.
“I’ve been around the game my entire life, played in the SWC and coached in the SWC and it’s always been a balanced league,” said Masuk coach Tony Viscuso. “There are no gimme games, every game is a battle. And this because top to bottom we have some of the best coaches in the state coaching in the conference.”
The rest of the league notes a similar contrast. Viscuso, Bethel’s Tony Fernandes, Weston’s Kevin Fitzsimmons, Pomperaug’s Joe Mancini, Immaculate’s Steve Carneiro and others are veteran coaches who have enjoyed success.
Brookfield’s David Lavery won the league in his second season at the school in 2016. Add in Charlie Amblo — who took over Newtown last year and has a long career of coaching professionally — and the league gets stronger and stronger.
5 TEAMS TO WATCH
Barlow: There will likely never be a year where the Falcons reach this list. But Barlow enters 2019 as an even bigger favorite as it returns the majority of a lineup that reached the league final. Of course, the key departure is center midfielder Jack Warren, who was named an allAmerican last fall. Junior Ben Goodacre is a forward who came up with big goals last season while Jack Ledbetter will lead the back with experience. The Falcons are still on the young side with just five seniors. Pomperaug: The Panthers reached the Class LL semifinals last year — where they lost to eventual champion Glastonbury — and return a seniorladen group with plenty of experience. Junior Jaden Holzer is one of the
stronger players in the league and a drop down to Class L this year could mean a state title run is possible.
Masuk: The exodus from the school’s remarkable 2017 season — which ended in both the SWC and Class L final — left a massive void last year. The Panthers struggled more than typical, but still reached the postseason and lost in overtime to Brookfield in the quarterfinals. The good news is that many solid players return, including an exciting front three in Nick D’auria, Daniel Motta and Quinn Braddick — all juniors. Newtown: The Nighthawks steadily improved in Amblo’s first season with the team and appear set for a leap forward. Rick Irving and Duncan O’Leary captain the squad. With the plan to evolve into an attackminded team on the cards for Year 2, Newtown could easily hoist its first title since 2004.
Weston: The Trojans are in a very difficult spot of having to replace most of its entire starting lineup, but have to be considered a dangerous team given its status as defending champions. They will also have a junior and seniordominated lineup that could feed off last year’s success.
5 PLAYERS TO WATCH
Matt Machan, Masuk: One of many young Panthers who jumped into a starting spot last year, Machan also earned AllSWC first team honors. He could be one of the top defenders in the area.
Bryan Osebio, Bethel: Was named first team AllSWC and AllState last year behind his 11 goals.
Jaden Hozer, Pomperaug: Burst onto the scene as a sophomore and was named first team AllSWC as a result. Can provide the perfect pass from midfield. Giovanni Linero, New Fairfield: Any hopes of a Rebels turnaround lies at the gifted feet of the senior. He scored 21 of the team’s 33 goals last season, a staggering number that earned him first team AllSWC honors. Max Baer, Barlow: Entering his third year in the starting lineup. He will be asked to fill the void left by allAmerican Jack Warren in the center of midfield.
5 GAMES TO WATCH
Pomperaug at Newtown, Sept. 20, 4 p.m.: An early season battle on a Friday afternoon, both teams carry legitimate championship hopes. The Panthers earned a 10 win in the meeting last year.
Brookfield at Bethel, Oct. 5, 3 p.m.: Another border rivalry takes shape with both teams hoping to get to the postseason. The Wildcats missed the playoffs last year for the first time in several years.
Barlow at Weston, Oct.
13, 7 p.m.: The rematch of last year’s final that was won by the Trojans, the second of two wins they earned against the league heavyweights.
Masuk at New Milford, Oct. 22, 6 p.m.: The Green Wave are a mystery heading into the season after a down
2018. The two teams also met to start the season Thursday.
Immaculate at Barlow, Oct. 28, 4 p.m.: The Mustangs earned the last SWC playoff spot on the last day despite a close loss to the Falcons. They have playoff hopes again behind a very young roster.
Elsewhere: Stratford could be a team to watch in Ryan Jockers’ second season in charge, though they did lose some key contributors in first team AllSWC defender Christopher Anstis. He and his coaching staff built a team from scratch and almost made the state tournament, falling to rival Bunnell in the finale. Senior Terry Ngo will be a key player in defense while Nico Cuevas, Thomas Castro, Max Maria and Andres Jimenez will start for the group. Sophomore Justin Forizs will play in goal . ... Longtime contender Bethel was hampered by injuries last year but is always competitive under Fernandes. In addition to Osebio, fellow seniors Nikita Redmond, Luke Lacey, Kevin Legnard and Maykel Mariano will be crucial . ...
New Milford should also be improved in Lou Pereira’s second season as his squad learned a new system last season. The Green Wave will be led by center backs Luke Anderson and Connor Thomas and have a long history of being a tough out in the tournaments even if they are still searching for their first SWC title. They also have a key playmaker in junior Alec Llerna, who could be one of the best players in the entire conference . ...
Immaculate will be starting four freshman under Steve Carneiro, who is fresh off leading an AC Connecticut club to the national title over the summer. Immaculate will be captained by Hunter Kirkman (center midfielder), Tristan DiNatale (forward), Andrew Talarico (center back) and Nick Lenz (winger).