ECC

Division I

East Lyme

Coach: Paul Christensen (34th season)

Key returnees: Sr. G Connor Piper, Sr. M Blake Biggs, Sr. D Gavin O'Brien, Sr. M Reid Dowling, Jr. F Diego Virgen, Jr. F Robert Stoddard, Sr. D Jonathan Limburg, Jr. M Dominik Stefanski, Jr. M Brandon Osso, Jr. G Benjamin Johnson, Sr. M Connor Moran, Sr. D Divij Bhattarai.

Top newcomers: Sr. F Ian Cambridge, Jr. M-F Finian Gates, Sr. M Quincy Gates-Graceson, Sr. M Graham Glander, Jr. D Leo Goetz, Sr. D Spencer Haynes, Jr. D A.J. Montejano, Jr. D Ryan Novick, Jr. M-D Luke Salan, Jr. D Tristan Seguin, So. F Ryan Wargo, Sr. D Emmett Dunne, Jr. M Brantford Lionetti.

Outlook: Said Christensen: “Last year we struggled scoring goals, but we should be able to find much more offensive chances this year.” Christensen, the dean of current head soccer coaches in the region, also likes his defense, including Piper, an All-ECC pick at goalie. The Vikings play six teams that made either the state semifinals or finals last year. But “once positions are determined, roles accepted and we build some confidence, we look to be a very competitive team,” Christensen said. The Vikings were 5-9-2 overall last season.

Fitch

Coach: Nick McAneny (1st season)

Key returnees: Sr. M/F Nicolas Cobena-Idrovo, Sr. D Ryan Greene, Sr. F Diego Martinez, Sr. D Morgan Reissner, Jr. M Tate Gordon, Jr. D Donte Valentine, Jr. G Nathan Virtue

Top newcomers: Sr. M Moises Melgar, Sr. M Ryan Mignosa, Sr. M/F Juan Moyano, Sr. M Juan Prieto, Sr. D Colin Walters, Sr. M/D Jack Zuliani, Jr. M/F Benjamin Claspell, Jr. M/F Roger Coreas, Jr. M Morgan Fisher, Jr. M Boden Frost, Fr. F Felipe Dantas

Outlook: McAneny takes over for Jason Wolfradt, who led the Falcons (14-7) to the Class L state championship game last season. Graduation hit hard, leaving players experiencing varsity soccer for the first time. “We will look to hit the ground running,” McAneny said.

NFA

Coach: Robert Briones (26th season)

Key returnees: Sr. M William Ambruso, Sr. F Rood Apolon, Sr. D Thomas Brunelli, Sr. M/F Dante Guarnaccia, Sr. G Zachary Rendanz-Swett, Sr. D Ethan Williams, Sr. D/M Alexander LeSage, Jr. M-F Louis Hawkins III, Jr. M Nathan Judge, Jr. M Erik Portillo.

Top newcomers: Jr. M Jhon Lopez Choc, So. F Cole Bray, So. M Evan Casola, So. G Ethan Hitchcock, So. D Kyle Kornacki, So. M Remington Walsh, So. D Landon LeSage.

Outlook: NFA is looking to improve its 5-11 record from last year, Briones said. Outside the ECC, NFA has a competitive schedule as well, playing Old Saybrook, Morgan, Suffield and Ellington.

(Other teams in division: Woodstock)

Division II

Bacon Academy

Coach: Skip Starks (4th season)

Key returnees: Sr. D Keegan Appleby, Jr. D Colby Butterfield, So. F Birch Collins, Jr. D Drew Ferrigno, So. M Eddie Hageman, Sr. F Steven Laliberte, Sr. M Nico Matteucci, Jr. F Sam Melino, Jr. M Tyler Pulse, Sr. M Dante Ricci, Sr. D Ian Sargent, Sr. G Evan St. Louis, So. D Kaden Treat, Sr. D Michael Vilardo.

Top newcomers: So. G Clark England, So. M J.P. Fougerouse, Jr. D Gabe Mahon, Sr. M Noah Ondras, So. D Charlie Rose, Fr. D Brayden Ward.

Outlook: The Bobcats (13-7) lost four All-ECC players, including Senior Bowl member Aidan McLoughlin. But there are seven returning seniors, keeping expectations high. Starks says one of the team goals is to “potentially build upon our third-place Class M state final ranking in 2021.”

Ledyard

Coach: Bill Glenney (20th season)

Key returnees: Sr. M Mason Day, Sr. M Tyler LaPerle, Sr. M Ben Fieldsend, Sr. D Nate Vidal, Sr. D Chris Washington, Jr. F Sebby Fieldsend, Jr. F Peyton Luther, Jr. D Owen O’Brien, Jr. M Jack Smith, So. D Sam Hopkins, So. M Cam Weber, So. G Paulo Templeton.

Top newcomers: Sr. G Aidan Acor, Sr. F Justin Vincent, Jr. M Sean Harren, Jr. M Ryan Hernandez, So. D Finn Scully, So. D Eric Williams, Fr. F Ben Crowe.

Outlook: Graduation claimed 61 goals scored (Nick Washington and Daimon Pollard) and the anchor of the defense (Cam Reynolds) from a team which finished 17-5 overall with an ECC Division II title and a berth in the state semifinals. But eight starters return (Washington, Vidal, Hopkins all return on the back line) as well as Templeton, who started as a freshman in goal. Glenney said Day, Ben Fieldsend, Weber and Smith should hold down a solid midfield until LaPerle returns from an injury. “Overall, I think we will be great defensively and solid in the midfield. If we can figure out how to score some goals we should be able to compete for a DII title and make a run in the Class L tourney,” Glenney said.

New London

Coach: Jose Roman (2nd season)

Key returnees: Jr. M Frankee Morocho, So. M Niko Churis, So. D Alex Churis.

Top newcomers: Jr. M Gabe Frommer, Fr. F Brian Escalante.

Outlook: The Whalers lost 12 Seniors and five underclassmen from last season, leaving Roman to say “it has been a challenge to find numbers to fill roster spots.” He said his team will rely on its key returners and top newcomers this season. New London moves from ECC Division III to an extremely competitive Division II.

Stonington

Coach: Mario Costa (1st season)

Key returnees: Sr. M Josh Lord, Sr. D Conrad Tobiasson, Sr. F Ryan Turner, Sr. M Connor Tavares, Sr. G Brandon Tavares.

Top newcomers: Sr. M Brett Caron, Sr. M Anders Dahl, Jr. D Sawyer VanLew, Jr. D Jackson McCarney, So. M Landon Pelletier, So. M Jace Wolfradt, So. F Michael Kennedy, So. G Nick Canella, Fr. F Sal Alessio.

Outlook: Costa, an assistant in the program for five years, assumes command of the two-time defending state champs from Paul deCastro, who retired after last season’s title, leaving along with several seniors. “We will be looking to be creative to find ways to score goals this year, after losing Sam Montalto (105 goals in four years),” Costa said. But he believes his team’s strength will come from defensive anchors Tobiasson and Lord, goal production from Turner, the midfield strength of Connor Tavares and Caron and the leadership of Brandon Tavares, last season’s goalie. Costa also hopes “our freshman Bear, Sal Alessio, can make an impact right away.” Stonington (21-1, 6-0), which won the ECC Division I title last season, moves to Division II.

Waterford

Coach: Josh Bessette (4th season)

Key returnees: Sr. F Matias Arcelus, Sr. M Donovan Bousquet, Sr. D Evan Piotrowski, Jr. M Giovanni Ortiz, Jr. M Griffin Neal, So. M Jonathon Dorunda, So. M Ian Rush, Sr. D Alex Martinez, Sr. D Mason Baez, Sr. D Dylan Agsalud, Jr. G Connor Motzko.

Top newcomers: So. D Alex Casper, So. M Matthew Allen, So. M Dennis Du, So. G Justin Gray, Fr. G Ben Dubicki, Fr. M Jameson Smith, Fr. D Boden Fagen.

Outlook: Bessette didn’t mince words about the team goals. “We have the objective of winning Division II regular season and the ECC tourney,” he said. Despite losing All-ECC picks Jeremy Gibbs and Tim Silva, Bessette is excited about “returning several starting varsity players from last season and the leadership shown by the captains in a short period of time thus far.” The Lancers were 10-8 last season.

Division III

Lyman Memorial

Coach: Moise Carelus (1st season)

Key returnees: Sr. D Ryan Miller.

Top newcomers: Fr. M Matthew Kopplin, Fr. M Matthew Williams, Fr. D Clark Smithwick, Fr. M Benjamin Christiansen.

Outlook: Carelus takes over a program hit hard by graduation. Miller is a four-year starter and a captain who will guide several young players, including the four freshmen newcomers. “Our goal is to make the playoffs with discipline and hard work,” Carelus said. “There might be more experienced teams out there, but no one is going to learn more and give bigger efforts than LMHS boys’ soccer.” Lyman Memorial was 4-9-3 last season.

Montville

Coach: Chris Ouellette (1st season)

Key returnees: Sr. D Brendan Duhamel, Sr. D Jack Giurleo, Sr. D Alex Burrell, Jr. M Ben Godburn, Jr. M Madden Brown, Jr. M/F Colby Cowan, Jr. D Gavin Delucia, Sr. M Anthony Martin.

Top newcomers: So. G Jayden Burrell, Sr. G Mason Snurkowski, So. M/F Noah Keenan, So. M/D Luke Chapman, So. M/D Aaron Gould, So. D Nolan Muncaster, Jr. F Colby Fedus, Jr. M Luis Salas-Montalvo.

Outlook: Ouellette takes over the program from Anthony Occhialini, who led Montville (12-6-1, 6-1-1) to the ECC Division III title last season. Graduation took several starters, but Ouellette called this “a young team with lots of potential looking to find its identity. We’re hoping a strong defensive presence will allow time for offense to develop.” Cowan is a returning ECC all-star at midfield.

(Other teams in division: Griswold, Killingly, Windham)

Division IV

St. Bernard

Coach: Joe Purtill (12th season)

Key returnees: Sr. M Ben Wenzel, Sr. M Connor Harris, Jr. F Luke Brannegan, Sr. D Nolan Marcile, Jr. M Jose Pacheco, Jr. D Colin Britner, Sr. D Jahden Murphy, Jr. M Alex Graul, So. F Ben Syphrett, So. F Aidan Cass, So. M Ben Howes, So. D Marc Sauchuk, So. M Cameron Cornelius, Sr. G Dan O'Brien, So. G Tim Regan, Jr. F Theodore Burrelle, So. M Tyler Bustamonte, Sr. D Kaden Lovdahl, So. F Christian Agreda, So. D Elic Lebron, So. F Savas Videll, So. F Alexander Acosta.

Top newcomers: Sr. F Umberti Lokalari, Fr. M Connor McWilliams, Jr. D Lucas Ranelli, Fr. D Desmond Powers, Fr. G Jimmy Niles, Fr. M Cody Panas, Fr. G Evan Lopez, Fr. D Ryan Garvie, Fr. F Angel Agreda, Fr. M Akai Soria, Fr. F Dylan Cass.

Outlook: Purtill said the emphasis in preseason has been fitness and working as team, especially in the middle “where we are working in new combinations of central midfielders and central defenders.” Purtill said the Saints’ goal is to qualify for the state tournament. St. Bernard was 12-5-1 last season, 8-0 to capture the ECC Division IV title.

Wheeler

Coach: Joe Mendonca (23rd season)

Key returnees: Sr. Matt Carroll, Sr. Owen Foberg, Jr. Keiran Boscoe, Jr. Jon Anderson, Jr. Will Raggon.

Top newcomers: So. Drew Deary, So. David Levanto, So. Jack Dowrey, So. Wyatt Hayes, So. Parker McGowan, Fr. Brody Pappas, Fr. Evan Richter, Fr. Van Vernott, Fr. Nolan Vajars, Fr. Ivriel Osborn.

Outlook: Wheeler won ECC Division IV two seasons ago and will look to regain its form in 2022. “We are looking to be competitive in the small division and our team goal is to make the state tournament,” Mendonca said. Foberg was an All-ECC pick on defense.

(Other teams in division: Plainfield, Putnam, Tourtellotte)

Others

Grasso Tech

Coach: Laurie Hendrickson (2nd season)

Key returnees: Sr. M Adam Chioccola, Jr. M Luca Iglesias, Jr. D Nolan Blewitt, Sr. M Jason Huacho.

Top newcomers: Ethan Dion, Justin Cahoon.

Outlook: Hendrickson says the Eagles’ group of newcomers includes a solid freshman class. Grasso, coming off a 1-12-1 season, is looking to qualify for the Connecticut Technical Conference and state tournaments. Hendrickson’s team will also be playing on the school’s new turf field.

Old Lyme

Coach: Allyson Gleason (4th season)

Key returnees: Sr. D John Buckley, Sr. M Liam Celic, Sr. M Anders Silberberg, Sr. D Aidan Kerrigan, Sr. G Jonah Lathrop, Sr. D Casey Hurtgen, Sr. D Ben Roth, Sr. D David Evers, Sr. M Jair Lata, Jr. M Lucas DaSilva, So. F Mason Bussman, Jr. M Owen Snurkowski, Jr. D Macklin Cushman.

Top newcomers: Sr. M Luke Celic

Outlook: Gleason called last year “a rebuilding season” and hopes to benefit from the experience. “We have a talented group of returnees who worked diligently in the offseason wanting to make an impact this season,” she said. “Our goal is making Shoreline tournament and going deep into state tournament.” Luke Celic, who missed the last two years because of injury, returns and “adds that much power to our offense,” Gleason said.

Williams

Coach: Jason Lu (3rd season)

Key returnees: Sr. Ben Xenelis, Sr. F Calvin Neff, Sr. D Cody DeLaurentis, Sr. D Samuel Kaplan, Sr. D Brendon Marku, Sr. M Amand Sarwar, Sr. F Tony Luxton, Sr. F Callum McKillop, Jr. M Aarav Patel, Jr. D Dylan Polidori, Jr. D Luke Legein, Jr. M Bryce Benhoff, Jr. F Thanasi Georgiadis.

Top newcomers: Jr. G Tyler Gagliardi, So. M Baker Katko, So. M Finn McCann, So. D Kabir Patel, So. D Henry Gallagher, Fr. D Henry Champagne, Fr. M Sean Dockery

Outlook: The Blues (7-7-1) finished .500 for the first time during the regular season since COVID-19. The soccer program will return 13 varsity players, with 7 returning starters, but will need to replace NEPSAC standout Sterling Frost. All-State player Ben Xenelis, Neff, DeLaurentis, Kaplan and Marku will serve as team captains.