H.S. boys' soccer / 2024 preview capsules

Following are the 2024 high school preview capsules for boys’ soccer:

ECC

Division I

East Lyme

Coach: Paul Christensen (36th season)

Key returnees: Sr. F Ryan Wargo, Sr. F Evan Mullarney, Sr. B Callaway Scott, Sr. B Tanner O’Brien, Jr. M Max Montejano, Sr. M/B Nicco Frogameni, Jr. M Teagan Dunne, Jr. G Oliver Lopez, So. B Caleb Trost.

T op newcomers: Sr. F Luke Walsh, Jr. G Christian Wren, Sr. F Patrick Seguin, Sr. F Aaron Anderson, Jr. M/F Garrison Biggs, Sr. M/F Chris Cambi, Jr. B Zachary D’Aiuto, Jr. B Gabe Hanney, Jr. F/M Ethan Legg, Jr. B Alex Rindell.

Outlook: The Vikings (21-1-1) have some big shoes to fill returning as the reigning Class L, ECC tournament and ECC Division I champions. They lost 15 players, including nine starters, and will need to find a way to replace the scoring output of Robert Stoddard, The Day’s All-Area Player of the Year, who had 29 goals last season. Christensen feels good about his defense and has some veteran players returning but overall will be a young and inexperienced team that will take time to come together. The Vikings defeated Notre Dame-West Haven 3-2 to win the Class L title on Nov. 18.

Fitch

Coach: Nick McAneny (3rd season)

Key returnees : Sr. M Hayden Chappel, Sr. M Kyren Potenciano, Sr. D Dominick Zuliani, Jr. F Felipe Dantas, JR. M Jason Greene, JR. G William Haugeto, Jr. D John Lambert, Jr. F Vincent Spagnolo, So. M Luca Jump, So. M Ben McLoughlin, So. F Luke Wenger.

Top newcomers: Jr. D Gabriel Imasuen, So. D Sawyer Chappel, So. D Gabriel Georges, So. D Monroe Thomas, So. D Jacob Smith, Fr. G Gabriel Cook, Fr. D Jackson Cooley.

Outlook: The Falcons (3-10-2) are forced to fill key losses all over the field, including a four-year starter in goal. However, they bring back a group of young players who have seen quality varsity minutes over the last few years. With the talented midfield of Chappel, Potenciano and McLoughlin as their focal point, they aim to compete in the regular season with hopes of returning to the ECC and state tournaments. “These boys have continued to develop a great culture and compete every day in training,” McAneny said. “We have several players who can make an impact immediately and hope to improve throughout the year.”

NFA

Coach: Alex Cabezas (1st season)

Key returnees: Sr. F Cole Bray, Sr. D Remington Walsh, Jr. D Kolton Hawkins, Sr. M Evan Casola, So. G Kaiden Walsh.

Outlook: Bray and Walsh, the team captains, are considered two of NFA’s top returning players. Hawkins moves from goalie, where he played the last two seasons, to center back while Casola returns to play high school soccer after competing on the club level for Oakwood. Bray was an All-ECC pick last season on defense for the Wildcats (11-8-1), who were the ECC Division I tournament runners-up.

(Windham and Woodstock Academy also compete in ECC Division I.)

Division II

Bacon Academy

Coach: Skip Starks (6th season)

Key returnees: Sr. G Zach Carroll, Sr. B Birch Collins, Jr. F Hurley Fontaine, Sr. M J.P. Fougerouse, Jr. M Nick Gilman, Sr. F/M Eddie Hageman, Jr. B Colby Hlasyszyn, Jr. F Troy Johnson, So. B Brandon Kapoor, Jr. F Jack Levasseur, Jr. F Grayson Mahon, Jr. M Allen Quinones, Sr. B Charlie Rose, Sr. D Garrett Schuth, Jr. M Stephen Staback, Sr. B Kaden Treat, Jr. B Brayden Ward, So. G Mike Wisniewski.

Top newcomers: Sr. F Doug Howard, Jr. F Talan Ladyga, Fr. M Owen McLoughlin, So. M Zach Russo, Jr. D Matt Vilardo.

Outlook: Starks has high expectations for an “older” team with a lot of returning experience surrounded by young talented players. The Bobcats (5-10-1) are looking to compete for the top of the always challenging division.

Ledyard

Coach: Bill Glenney (22nd season)

Key returnees: Sr. F Niko Cayangyang, Jr. F Ben Crowe, Sr. M Cam Weber, Sr. M Cam Munge, So. M Andrew Loupos, Sr. D Roan Fothergill, Sr. D Sam Hopkins, Sr. D Eric Williams, So. D Sean O’Brien, So. D Tyler Salaver, Sr. G Paulo Templeton.

Top newcomers: Sr. D Caiden Pettry, Jr. M Jack Keskeny, Jr. D Emil Santos, Jr. D Owen Romero, Jr. M James Tweed, So. F Carson Luther.

Outlook: After six seasons of relying on their potent offense, the Colonels (15-3, ECC Division II champs) will lean on their defense to win games. Templeton, an All-ECC selection last season in goal, anchors the defense and Hopkins another all-league standout whom Glenney considers the best defender in the league, will team up with Williams to create a formidable duo. Weber will provide a creative presence and join Loupos, Munger and Keskeny in the midfield. Cayanyang and Crowe, who had 12 goals as a sophomore, will lead the attack. The loss of Peyton Luther (34 goals) leaves a void to fill. “We can defend and stop teams,” Glenney said. “If we can figure out a way to score two goals a game, we will be dangerous. If we can’t, we will be in a ton of dogfights game in and game out.”

Stonington

Coach: Mario Costa (4th season)

Key returnees: Jr. F Salvatore Alessio, Sr. D Jace Wolfradt, Sr. M Landon Pellitier, Sr. G Nick Canella, Sr. M Ethan Cabrera, Sr. D Michael Kennedy, So. M Andy Kramer, Sr. D Hagan Drake, Sr. M Jonah Korinek, SR. M Chase Donnarummo, Sr. M Seamus Doyle, Sr. D Charlie Kramer, Sr. D Maclan Griscom.

Top newcomers: Jr. M Sean Lord, Jr. D Brady Oniel, So. D Nolan Neale, So. M Joseph Goulart, So. M Sean Durham, So. M Brayden Wolfradt, So. G Matteo Panciera, So. D Tyler Cimini.

Outlook: The Bears (13-9) return eight of 11 starters that played in the Class M state championship game last season. All 11 seniors on the roster have the ability to contribute big minutes. The junior and sophomore classes also will play a significant role on a balanced team. Stonington hopes to compete for an ECC division title and make a good run in the state tournament. “The spirits are high, and practice has been very competitive,” Costa said. “We will look to be a team that wants to keep the ball on the ground, and play an aggressive, attacking style of soccer.” Alessio and Wolfradt were All-ECC selections and Alessio was a Class M all-state pick.

Waterford

Coach: Josh Bessette (6th season)

Key returnees: Sr. M Jon Dorunda, Sr. F Ian Rush, Sr. D Alex Casper, Sr. F Matthew Shampine, Sr. M Dennis Du, Sr. M Matthew Allen, Sr. F Ethan Stelik, Sr. D Jack Devine, Sr. M/D Tyler Welch, Sr. D Torin Gordy, Sr. G Justin Gray, Jr. G Ben Dubicki, Jr. D Boden Fagan, Jr. D-M Jameson Smith, Jr. M-F Brodie Scott.

Top newcomers: Jr. M/F Ethan Haynes, Jr. D/M Hayden Amsden-Fish, So. M Alex Pina, So. M-D Jake Welch, So. F Caden Gaynor, So. D Levin Steinhaus, So. D Jaedon Emerich.

Outlook: The Lancers (11-8) only lost four seniors from last season, but one was all-state forward and captain Griffin Neal, who will be difficult to replace. They return a core group of players who have been training and playing at the varsity level for two to three years. Expectations are high, as Waterford looks forward to fighting for an ECC division title.

Division III

Griswold

Coach: David Johnson (6th season)

Key returnees: Sr. M Brayden Weidner, Sr. F/M Tyler Silva, Sr. M Gennaro Lavado, Jr. G Steve Steniger, Sr. D Aiden Plante, Sr. D/M Caleb Christie.

Top newcomers: So. D Lennox Lindo, Fr. D Antonio Luna, Fr. F Bryce Quinn, So. D/M Brandon Millovitsch.

Outlook: The Wolverines (1-14) are looking forward to the season. “We have been working extremely hard to improve each and every day,” Johnson said.

Montville

Coach: Chris Ouellette (3rd season)

Key returnees: Sr. M Nolan Muncaster, Sr. M Aaron Gould, Sr. D Elijah Klusek, Sr. G Jayden Burrell, Sr. F Chris Baukus, Sr. D Jack Bowman, Sr. F Ryan Hochdorfer, Sr. M Noah Keenan, Jr. D/F/M Eric Richmond.

Top newcomers: So. M Owen Craig, Jr. F Heyward Williams III, Jr. M Jackson Holmes, So. M Kyler Laurie, Jr. D Michael Vogt.

Outlook: The Wolves (14-3-2) look to reload with a strong senior class, including Muncaster, an All-ECC selection in the midfield, following the departure of a powerful graduating group. Younger players will be counted on to grow into their roles for the program to find success. Montville won the ECC Division II tournament last season over St. Bernard 2-1 in penalty kicks.

New London

Coach: Jose Roman (4th season)

Key returnees: Sr. M Niko Churis, Sr. F Yovani Duenas Sanchez, Sr. F Stouvenley Dortelus, Sr. F Jorge Almendarez, Sr. M Erlin Almendarez, So. G Oscar Amaya.

Top newcomers: Sr. F Marko Velando Lovaton, Sr. D Dodly Lordila, Jr. F Thierry Lordilla.

Outlook: The Whalers (12-7) are looking to build off the last two seasons. They preserved through adversity to become the united front needed to be a high-achieving team and pursue their goals, according to Roman. They will lean on their experience as the rejuvenated program looks to take another step forward. Churis was an All-ECC pick at midfield.

St. Bernard

Coach: Frankie Lee (1st year)

Key returnees: Sr. F Ben Syphrett, Sr. D Marc Sauchuk, Sr. M/F Ben Howes, Sr. M/F Aidan Cass, Sr. D Cameron Cornelious, Sr. G Tim Regan, Jr. M Conner McWilliams, Jr. D Desmond Powers.

Top newcomers: Jr. F/D Evan Lopez, Jr. G Jimmy Niles, So. F Christian Tompkins.

Outlook: After taking over for Joe Purtill, who retired after coaching for 13 seasons, Lee is hopeful that an experienced senior class can help the Saints (16-5) build upon last year’s success, which included a regular-season title in ECC Division IV and two victories in the Class S state tournament. Sauchuk returns as an all-league defender and Syphrett, who scored 18 goals last fall, along with Howes, Cass and Tompkins will look to provide firepower on the attack.

(Killingly also competes in ECC Division III.)

Division IV

Wheeler

Coach: Joe Mendonca (26th season)

Key returnees: Sr. M Wyatt Hayes, Sr. D Drew Deary, Sr. M Jack Dowrey, Sr. F David Levanto, Jr. M Brodey Pappas, So. D Luke Dowrey, So. D Peter Levanto, So. D Jeremy Vetelino.

Top newcomers: So. M Seth Klewin, So. F/M Owen Laroux, So. D Louis Mastroianni, So. D Joe Morrone, So. G Devlin McCusker, So. F Luke Noonan, So. M Jack Signor, Fr. M Jonas Gagnon, Fr. D Brody Vangieri.

Outlook: Numbers remain strong in the program with 25 players suiting up for the Lions this season. After graduating a strong senior class, Wheeler (10-8) will rely on a great group of 19 underclassmen that have stepped up and and displayed excellent leadership. “We have a very athletic group this season that can possess the ball well and we will look to use our athleticism to our advantage,” Mendonca said. Wheeler’s goal is to win ECC Division IV and make a competitive run in the ECC and CIAC tournaments.

(Lyman Memorial, Plainfield, Putnam and Tourtellotte also compete in ECC Division IV.)

Others

Norwich Tech

Coach: Jamie Lamitie (12th season)

Key returnees: Sr. F Roman McElwee, Sr. G Mason Matthews, Sr. B Gavin Bastien, Sr. B Ryan Lillibridge.

Top newcomers: Jr. B Anthony Caisse, Jr. B Emerson Avery, So. M Luca Weitknecht, So. M Carrick Byfield, So. M Angel Stinson, Fr. M Justin Portillo.

Outlook: After winning back-to-back Charter Oak Division championships in the Connecticut Technical Conference and graduating some very good players the last two seasons, Norwich Tech’s roster includes 31 players, including 15 freshmen. Lamitie expects to rely on some young players to contribute on the varsity level.

Old Lyme

Coach: Allyson Gleason (6th season)

Key returnees: Sr. M Brenden Landry, Sr. F Gavin Biega, Jr. M Colman Curtiss-Reardon, Jr. M Ian Maeby.

Top newcomers: So. M Elliot Dunn-Sims.

Outlook: Old Lyme (4-10-2) faces a building season with a number of upper classmen transferring/focusing on other sports, including first team All-Shoreline Conference forward Mason Bussman. The Wildcats open Thursday at East Hampton.

Williams School

Coach: Tyler Potts (1st season)

Key returnees: Sr. M Finn McCann, Sr. G Baker Katko, Sr. M Brian Li, Sr. M Kabir Patel, Sr. D Henry Gallagher, Sr. D Drew Kocaba, Jr. Sean Dockery, Jr. Henry Champagne, Jr. Lance Jastremski, So. Liam Kelly, So. Arden Gorra, So. Ethan Perl, So. Alexander Knott, So. Erick Lopez.

Outlook: The Blues (3-11-2) have some excellent rising players to fill spots left by the departure of all-state selection Tyler Galgliaridi as well as Luke Legein, Dylan Polidori and Aaarav Patel. With Potts and assistant Mike Kelly leading the way, Williams is focused, strong and ready for an excellent season.