Here is a look at area boys soccer teams as they begin their league seasons this week.
Mohonasen Mighty Warriors
Head coach: Corey Gregg
Key offensive players: Trey Jasenski, Ryan Millie
Key defensive players: A.J. Przekop, Matthew DeBiasi
Goaltender: Justin Brousseau
Outlook: Gregg and assistant coach Mark Woodrow are new to the program, but not to each other or Rotterdam soccer fans. The duo graduated from Schalmont in 1999 after playing for Chris Bailey and played together at The College of Saint Rose until they graduated in 2003.
Gregg said he’s looking forward to the challenge of turning Mohonasen around after the Mighty Warriors went through several lean years.
It’s a team that was ready for a change to say the least, and they understand what it will take to turn things around here, said Gregg.
Turning things around won’t be easy in the Suburban Council, where some of Section II’s toughest teams reside. But Gregg said he’s hoping for improvement from his young team (five seniors, five juniors and eight sophomores) as the season progresses.
`I know we can be very competitive against any team,` he said. `The effort that they bring every day ` they’re not intimidated, and they’re very confident.`
Niskayuna Silver Warriors
Head coach: Dave Bundy
Key offensive players: Jake Johnson, Scott Rogers, Tyler Gansfuss, Dan McKinney
Key defensive players: Dave Corderman, Nick Johnas, Matt Levine
Goaltenders: Luke Citriniti, Brian Dudek, Pete Trask
Outlook: The Silver Warriors are still considered by Suburban Council coaches as a challenger, despite graduating several key seniors from last year’s team including all-league midfielder Alex Johnson.
`We don’t have a player who can do the same things he could do, but we have a bunch of players who can do some of those things,` said Bundy.
Bundy is carrying three goaltenders for the first time, and he said he plans to rotate them in for now. `They’re all good kids, so maybe some of them will get some field (position) time,` he said.
Niskayuna doesn’t get a break to start its Suburban Council season. The Silver Warriors play defending state class AA champion Shenendehowa Thursday.
`We’re in the toughest division in a tough league,` said Bundy. `We’re in a division with Shen, Shaker and Bethlehem. We don’t get many days off, but it’s good because it’ll get us ready for Sectionals.`
Schalmont Sabres
Head coach: Chris Bailey
Key offensive players: Joe Lontrato, Fabio Urbano, Carlo Viscusi
Key defensive players: Dan Mackin, Jordan Flores
Outlook: With 13 seniors returning from last year’s team, the Sabres will be one of the favorites to win the Colonial Council title.
`Barring injuries, I’m looking to finish in the top three, if not challenge for the title,` said Bailey, whose team finished one point behind Voorheesville for the Colonial Council championship last year.
Schalmont won’t be able to compete for the class A title like it has the last several years, though. A decline in the Rotterdam school’s enrollment dropped it under the cutoff for class A this season. The Sabres will play in class B this season.
Schenectady Christian Falcons
Head coach: Chad Bowman
Key offensive players: Jake Bowman, Mike Shafts, R.J. Gallup, Matt DiBlasi
Key defensive players: Owen Henderson, Jared Kulbaco, Tyler Welsh, Jason Reed
Goaltender: John Henk
Outlook: The Falcons’ bid for a Western Athletic Conference South division title took a hit last weekend when senior midfielder Matt McCarty broke a bone in his foot. McCarty, who was going to be one of Schenectady Christian’s leading offensive players, will have surgery next week and is out for the season.
`We were already making adjustments, and now we’re having to make more adjustments without Matt,` said Bowman.
Even without McCarty, Schenectady Christian should challenge Middleburgh and Duanesburg for the South division title with a squad that features a veteran defensive unit and two talented junior strikers in Shafts and Jake Bowman.
`We should be good in front of the goalie. We have several seniors offering leadership (on defense),` said coach Bowman.
Scotia-Glenville Tartans
Head coach: Al Alexander
Key offensive players: Joe Hlat, Andrew Benaquista, Craig Holub, Steve Rosemarino
Key defensive players: Nick Alescio, Brian Risley
Goaltenders: Dan Vanden-burgh, Jack Lewis Jr.
Outlook: The Tartans only have five returning starters, but as is the case with the perennial Foothills Council power, they have several talented young players coming in to fill the vacancies.
`We’re a little young, and we’re kind of regrouping, but I think we’ll be competitive by the end of the season,` said Alexander. He added that Glens Falls and Broadalbin-Perth ` which rejoined the Foothills Council after one year in the Colonial Council ` are among the teams to beat in the league.
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