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2019 BOYS SOCCER PREVIEW: Team-by-team capsules
Lambert's Hayden Fontana races South Forsyth's PJ Mollenauer to the ball on Tuesday, Feb. 27, 2018.
- photo by Brian Paglia
Pinecrest Academy
Coach:
Domenic Martelli, fourth season
Last season: 13-6-1, lost in the second round of the
Class 1A private playoffs
Key returners: GK Matt Del Balzo (Jr.), CB Brendan Kane (Jr.), MF Nicolas Martelli (Jr.),
MF Kane Alvarez Del Pino (Sr.), MF Jake Lair (Jr.), All-purpose Arturo Munguia
(Jr.), F Connor Sassine (Sr.)
Key newcomers: GK Evan Kane (Fr.), GK Grayson
Thomason (So.), MF Colin Brown (Fr.), F Thomas Pelaez (Fr.)
What to know: The Paladins were a young squad last
year, and although the 2018 campaign was a largely successful, they’ll have at
least one critical piece to replace in region Player of the Year Gabe Villar,
who racked up 35 goals and 18 assists during his senior year. Forward
Connor Sassine and midfielder Kane Alvarez Del Pino are two seniors that will
lead the Paladins this season. With plenty of upperclassmen on the roster,
Pinecrest could be in good shape to make the postseason once again.
What to know: As a first year program, Denmark is, of
course, very young. Head coach Brett Godwin, a Lambert alum, has seen a lot of
chemistry in the time he’s spent with his group, though, and believes the Danes
have a chance to surprise some people in Region 7-4A and challenge for a
playoff spot. Midfielders Ruben Camacho and Zach Bourg will be two juniors
looking to fill leadership roles on a squad with no seniors.
Lambert
Coach:
Chris Wilson, 10th season
Last season: 19-4-1, won Class 7A state championship
Key returners: D Nick Alliston (Sr.), F Kyler Darsey
(Sr.),F Hayden Fontana (Sr.), D Trey Kirksey (Jr.), D Denny Kulasinac (Jr.), F
Tyler Nadiak (So.), D Jay Patterson (Sr.), F Thomas Powers (Sr.), GK Cole Scott
(Jr.), D Noah Sivinski (Sr.), GK Chris Smith (Sr.), MF Campbell Wilson (Jr.), D
Grant Ziegler (Sr.)
Key newcomers: MF Julian Cuervo (So.), F Jack Frager
(Sr.), D Hugh Headrick (Fr.), MF Yeonsung Lee (So.), D Harrison Maughin (Jr.),
GK Joao Moreia (So.), MF Brogan Riggle (Jr.), D Lewis Seddon (Jr.)
What to know: The defending Class 7A state champs
were a relatively young bunch last year, earning their 2018 title with just three seniors
on their roster. There’s no reason to think the Longhorns won’t be competitive
again during their title defense, with Lambert returning 13 players from last
season, including defender Jay Patterson, a 2018 All-County selection. Even so, those upperclassmen will be sorely
missed this year, particularly on the offensive side, as the Longhorns lose
county boys player of the year Logan Racine. If Lambert can ride new offensive
leaders to finish chances the way they did last year, though, they’ll be in
good shape.
West Forsyth's Parker Campbell shoots against Forsyth Central on Tuesday, March 6, 2018.
- photo by Ben Hendren
West Forsyth
Coach:
Chad Davenport, first season
Last season: 9-13-1, missed playoffs
Key returners: D Parker Campbell (Sr.), D Johnny
Raines (Sr.), MF Gustav Bringle (Jr.), MF Aiden Meinart (Jr.), MF Preston Baker
(Jr.)
Key newcomers: D Jack Schnarr (So.), D Brennan McInerney
(Jr.)
What to know: Coming off a season in which West
missed the playoffs, the Wolverines will be under the guidance of first year
head coach Chad Davenport. Most of West’s experience is in the midfield and on
defense, led by returning seniors Parker Campbell and Johnny Raines. Depth
figures to be a key strength as well, but Davenport says his team is still
trying to find ways to get scoring opportunities and take advantage of them.
Forsyth Central
Coach:
Will Gifford, fifth season
Last season: 11-8-2, lost in the first round of the
Class 7A playoffs
Key returners: D Christian Patino (Sr.), D Kieran Evans (Jr.), D Matt McKenna (Jr.), MF
Anthony Grasso (Jr.), MF Sergio Moreira (Jr.), MF Daniel Nogeira (Jr.), MF Tracy Moon (Jr.), F Daniel Martin (Jr.),
F Alex Guzman (So.)
Key newcomers: MF Oscar Trejo (Jr.), GK Cristhian Sanchez (Jr.), D Hunter Broome (So.)
What to know: The Bulldogs lost forward Uriel Romero
and midfielder Gavin Mitchell to graduation. Central will miss both of those
contributors to its 2018 playoff season, but still feels like it has more depth
off the bench than in years past. Central returns just one senior in defender Christian Patino, though — for the Bulldogs to be successful, their younger
players will have to mature quickly and play with confidence early on.
South Forsyth
Coach:
Chere' Thomas, first season
Last season: 18-6-2, lost Class 7A state championship
Key returners: D PJ Mollenauer
(Sr.), MF Andrew Shah (Sr.), D Carter Mason (Jr.,), D Tate O’Brien (Jr.), D Bryant Linares (Jr.), MF
Patrick Kelly (So.)
Key newcomers: MF Luis Paz (Jr.), Striker Jose Ventura (So.)
What to know: Expectations are high for the War
Eagles for the 2019 season after an appearance in the Class 7A state
championship. South loses quite a bit from the squad that made it that far,
though, including midfielder Trevor Byrne, who is now at Florida Atlantic, and
goalkeeper Aarnav Sandhu, who did a lot to keep the War Eagles alive in
penalties in the playoffs. First year head coach Chere' Thomas sees the defense
as the team’s strength: Returning all-county defender PJ Mollenauer will lead
that charge. Still, South will have to overcome its youth with many new players
at key positions.
North Forsyth
Coach:
Jack Snook, first season
Last season: 3-14-3, missed playoffs
Key returners: GK Gian Dev (Sr.), GK Alberto Rangel
(So.), D Cameron Cummings (Jr.), MF Carson Tomassetti (Sr.)
Key newcomers: D Will Mashburn (So.), MF Michael Silva (Fr.), MF Ventura Soto (Fr.) and MF Carlos Moncada (Fr.)
What to know: There’s nowhere to go but up for North
this season under new head coach Jack Snook, who spent three previous seasons
as the boys and girls JV coach. There’s been nothing but positivity, though:
Snook had plenty of talent to choose from, with 62 players trying out. He sees
the Raiders’ hurdles as mental. North hasn’t exactly been known as a soccer
powerhouse in the past, but the Raiders hope their desire to change that
reputation can inspire them.