Here are the boys soccer previews for area schools with information provided by team coaches:
Cheshire
Head coach: Artur Branco (23rd season)
2015 record: 17-2-1 (SCC Housatonic champion)
Key players: Senior Pascal Preud’homme, Andre Pereira, Mitch Manware; Juniors C.J. Andes; Sophomores Toby Goldstein, Matthew Miano.
Coach’s comment: “Pascal and C.J. bring a lot of experience and command the defense. Pereira is one of our most experienced players who played at Oakwood Academy with some of the best players in the state for three years before joining our team, making him an extremely bonafide player that only comes around once in a while. He has great vision of the game, brings great maturity and is a complete player. We are moving Mitch Manware up this year. He is doing a great job of adjusting to his new role. We hope to max out his strength.”
Kaynor Tech
Head coach: Michael Dorchinsky (2nd season)
2015: 7-7-2
Key players: Seniors Jacob Kalat, Megan Fried; Juniors Pierce Blom, Jonathan Monteiro.
Outlook: The Panthers were a tournament team in 2015, and will need a new group of starters to step up to make it back to the postseason.
Coach’s comment: “We will be going into the 2016 season having to replace six seniors from last year’s team. All of them were starters so there will be some holes to fill. We do have a great young nucleus of players who have talent and can use this year as an opportunity to grow and shine on the pitch. Our division within the CSC is the most difficult in the league. Top to bottom, each team will be a tough matchup. I look forward to developing these young players and seeing them flourish in our system.”
O’Brien Tech
Head coach: Art Solis (41st season)
2015: 2-12-2
Key players: Seniors Filipe Santos, Joe O’Toole, Ervin Gee, Jesse Bronko, Felicity Berrios, Nicole Velez, Sean Lomnitzer, Jayden Kahyaoglu; Juniors Gianna Martinez, Justino Monteiro, Logan Gerrity; Sophomores Albert Marko, Kenner Monge, Matthew Smith, Jose Aguilar, Jan Mazan
Outlook: The Condors will be better in 2016. This is a veteran lineup, with depth at every position.
Pomperaug
Head coach: Joseph Mancini
2015: 9-7-3
Key players: Jacob Dimichele, Nicholas Phaneuf, Mike Mcgillicuddy, Austin Waug, Micheal Shaake, Helom Betancourth.
Outlook: The Panthers are loaded with varsity experience on defense and through the midfield.
Coach’s comment: “We are looking to make a deep run in both tournaments, the state and also the league.”
Southington
Head coach: Dave Yanosy (11th season, 73-76-23)
2015: 12-4-2
Key players: Seniors Mike DeFeo, Erik Kryzanski, John Testa; Juniors Evan Daddona, Dan Topper, Hayden Burbank, Kieran Tindall.
Outlook: Defense will certainly be a strength, and there is a quality keeper in Daddona. Southington will depend on Testa and Topper to do the scoring.
Coach’s comment: “Our strengths are work rate and technical ability, but, will we score enough goals?”
Wolcott Tech
Head coach: Paul Bazzano (14th season, 46-139-12)
2015: 5-9-3
Key players: Seniors Tristan Sorensen, Mitchell Sorensen, Hunter Noel, Josh Santiago.
Outlook: The Wildcats qualified for the Class M tourney in 2015, and they fully expect more of the same and, without question, a higher tourney seed. These guys have a chance to win some games.
Coach’s comment: “We only graduated one starter, therefore, the team is experienced. We have some key talent coming back and, combined with the younger players, our team should be stronger than last year. Our goal, as always, is to make the state tournament. We should be in the middle of the table in the Constitution State Conference this season. We will be a contender to make the league tournament and will look to upset some of the stronger teams in the league.”