Masconomet’s reign faces test
Forget all that you know about perennial divisional powers in the MIAA boys’ soccer tournament. With the state’s governing body having realigned schools based on enrollment prior to this school year, many juggernauts will find themselves in unfamiliar landscapes come tournament time. Masconomet, Nauset, Silver Lake, and Walpole will move up to Division 1, while Sandwich, Malden Catholic, Lynn Classical, and Dennis-Yarmouth drop to Division 2.
The regular season will remain relatively unchanged, but the state tournament could bring new challenges for programs changing divisions.
Ultimately, coach Len Emmons said the change will mean little until the state tournament.
“The top teams [in D1] are a lot better, but there are as many good teams in Division 2,’’ Emmons said.
One thing
“We probably don’t have the overall skills of last year’s team, but we have more guys with skills,’’ Emmons said. “We have strength in numbers. We’ll see how much they grow as the season goes along.’’
Competition in Division 1 figures to be as stiff as ever. Defending EMass champion Framingham will be in the hunt again in the Bay State Conference, while Middlesex League champ Lexington will also be strong again. Division 1 South champion Brockton returns captain Admilson Timas, along with state title hopes.
St. John’s Prep was dealt a blow when midfielder Foti Andreo went down with a torn anterior cruciate ligament over the summer, but coach Dave Crowell said his team has enough talent to overcome the loss.
“We’re really pretty balanced with our depth,’’ he said. “We also have good overall team speed.’’
Midfielder Dan O’Connor, defender Greg Tremblay, and keeper Steve Pasinski captain the Eagles, who will look to improve upon last year’s trip to the North final.
Other teams to watch in the North include Peabody and Lincoln-Sudbury, which returns Globe All-Scholastic Cole DeNormandie.
In the South, New Bedford is looking to reverse a string of tough tournament exits, including a second-round loss to fellow Big Three member Brockton last year.
“Four years in a row we’ve lost on penalty kicks to a team that usually wins the South,” coach John Macaroco said. “Hopefully we’re more mentally strong now.’’
All-Scholastic midfielder Victor Ferriera leads the Whalers, with Alex Machado anchoring the defense and Kyle Duarte, Fernando Baptista, and Diego Bourado providing offensive punch.
Whitman-Hanson is led by a strong defensive unit, which includes midfielder Pat Phillips and keeper Jason Vancura.
“We have a lot of confidence in our defense,’’ said coach Jim Barrington. “Our concern is scoring one more goal than our opponent.’’
The Catholic Conference trio of BC High, Catholic Memorial, and Xaverian will also be in the hunt in the South, along with Nauset, Needham, Weymouth, and Dartmouth.
Canton graduated a number of skilled players, but coach Danny Erickson said his team has enough talent left to compete.
“We’re a deeper, more talented team, just maybe without some of the stars we had last year,’’ he said. “We have a great deal of potential to be one of the better teams.’’
Midfielder David Corcoran and defender Luke Shapiro lead a strong Canton defense, which allowed only eight goals in 20 games last year.
Boston City League member O’Bryant is aiming for a repeat of last year’s 14-3 regular season.
The Tigers lost four seniors, but striker Daniel Sanchez and midfielder Deinma Dikibo are back to lead a young team that benefited from last year’s success.
“They have all the speed and the skills,’’ coach Ian Doreian said. “Now their bodies are catching up.’’
The Tigers’ big question mark will be at keeper, where Kerby Louis and Xhersi Laka will battle for playing time.
The South also figures to have a crop of new challengers. Sandwich and Dennis-Yarmouth will be among the schools dropping from D1 while Norton and Norwell will be joining the fray from D3.
In the North, Winchester coach Paul Austin said his seasoned team (12 seniors, seven returning starters) will be even stronger this year after a trip to the North final in 2008.
“Last year we surprised people a bit,’’ Austin said. “We won’t be sneaking up on anyone this year.’’
The Northeastern Conference trio of Lynn Classical, Beverly, and Gloucester will combine with Malden Catholic to give the North sectional a new look.
“[The players] have mottos of ‘unfinished business’ and ‘no excuses,’ ’’ coach Bill Altieri said. “Those are mottos they came up with. They’re committed.’’
The Rough Riders return 10 starters, led by keeper Zack Jamous, midfielder Jake Rendon, and sweeper Dustin Beaudoin. The defense will be the team’s strength again, as the Rough Riders allowed only 10 goals in the regular season last year.
To better prepare for the tournament, Altieri scheduled preseason scrimmages with New Bedford, Pembroke, Dennis-Yarmouth, and Old Rochester, and a regular-season game with Nauset.
Harwich’s main competition in the South comes from defending champion Carver, whose only regular-season loss last year was to the Rough Riders. Westport should also return strongly.
In the North, EMass champion Hamilton-Wenham again leads the pack, with Lynnfield, St. Mary’s, Austin Prep, and Georgetown rounding out the major contenders.
