ECC Division I

Bacon Academy

Coach: Skip Starks (1st season)

Key returnees: Sr. Ty Stanchina, Sr. Cayden Bertrand, Sr. Jayden Guerra, Sr. Landon Wonderly, Jr. Sam Blumberger, Jr. Aidan McCloughin, Jr. Ryan Claffey.

Top newcomers: So. Keegan Appleby, So. Ian Sargent, So. Nico Matteucci.

Outlook: Coming off an infrequent down year, Bacon will lean on its experienced players who are ready to make their mark. Blumberger, McCloughlin and Claffey, a goalie, are all three-year varsity players while Stanchina earned All-ECC first team honors last season.

East Lyme

Coach: Paul Christensen (33rd season)

Key returnees: Sr. F Cooper Pazzaglia, Sr. F Matt Tapia, Sr. M Noam Sokolovsky, Sr. G Owen Brown, Sr. D Tucker Mazzulli, Sr. D Sujesh Kurumbail, Sr. M Jonathan Northcutt, Sr. F Nico Menes, Sr. M Tazim Hoque, Sr. D Steven Gonsalves, Jr. F Jonathan Zavaleta, Sr. G Connor Daugherity, Sr. D James O'Connor, Sr. M Carter Chambers.

Top newcomers: Sr. M John Rianhard, Sr. M Ben Thomson, Sr. M Jacob Tukey, Jr. M Riley Walsh, Jr. M Jesse Oloski, Jr. M Ethan Moore, Jr. F Ethan Hibbard, So. G Connor Piper, Sr. F Kevin Mills.

Outlook: A Class L tournament qualifier during an injury-plagued 2019 season, the Vikings are looking to build off of an 8-8-2 overall record. Christensen: "A solid group of players both defensively and offensively return which should help make this team very competitive once the team jells and positions, particularly at midfield, are determined."

Fitch

Coach: Jay Wolfradt (11th season)

Key returnees: Sr. G Ramiro Zavala, Sr. D Aidan McLean, Sr. D Ian Roche, Jr. M Timmy Lynch, Jr. F Sebastian Duffy, Sr. F Seamus Greaves, Jr. M Thomas Forde, Jr. M Peter Petropoulos, Jr. D ALex Bacchiocchi, Jr. M Douglas Cardona.

Newcomers: So. M Nico Cobena-Idrovo, Sr. D Aiden Drake, Jr. D James Miner, Jr. D Luke Norieka, So. D-M Ryan Greene, SO. M Ryan Mignosa, Jr. F Kyan Potenciano, So F-M Diego Martinez.

Outlook: Losing graduated senior Giovanni Valentine on the back line is a significant loss for the Falcons. However, Zavala, McLean and Roche are determined and blessed with a high soccer I.Q. Lynch, an all-state midfielder, will be counted on to run the show. Fitch has speed up top and out wide. Duffy, Martinez and Forde will be key players, according to Wolfradt.

Ledyard

Coach: William Glenney (18th season)

Key returnees: Jr. M Nick Washington, Jr. F Daimon Pollard, Jr. D Cam Reynolds, Sr. D Joey Burton, Sr. G Blake McLeod, Sr., So. M Tyler Laperle, So. M Ben Fieldsend, Sr. D Owen Lessig.

Top newcomers: Sr. D Mike Epperson, Sr. D Eric Stein, Sr. M Ben Towne, Jr. D Matt Bourguignon, Jr. D Eli Diette, So. M Mason Day, So. D Dieter Sieling, So. D Chris Washington, Fr. M Peyton Luther, Fr. M Elijah Stein.

Outlook: The Colonels are coming off a magical season during which they advanced to the Class M semifinals. McLeod, a returning starter, will anchor Ledyard with his skill and leadership while Burton and Reynolds form the center of the defense. Glenney expects his team will score "a ton of goals this year," relying on all-state midfielder Washington (23 goals, 10 assists) and lethal striker Pollard (15 goals, 20 assists). "The offense will take care of itself; my job is to figure out the back line," Glenney said. The Colonels will break in their new turf field.

Lyman Memorial 

Coach: Ryan Fabry (21st season)

Key returnees: Sr. D Hilts Housen-Berglind, Sr. F-M Drew Archer, Sr. D Nick Barrett, Sr. M Dylan Lucey, Sr. G Zach Merritt.

Top newcomers: Jr. D Bennett Murphy, Jr. M Thomas Cardinali, Jr. M-F Daylan Griffin, Fr. F-M Jeremiah Bobbi.

Outlook: Lyman, which reached the Class S quarterfinal last year, opted to move up from Division II so it will play bigger schools and tougher competition. “We remain optimistic that we will still be competitive,” Fabry said. The team has a talented nucleus of returning seniors that will form the heart of the program. Archer is a two-time Class S all-state pick and Housen-Berglind earned all-state honors last season. Newcomers will be expected to make an immediate impact. 

NFA

Coach: Robert Briones (24th season)

Key returnees: Sr. M Jareth Tosses, Jr. F Jeff Delphin, Jr. F Marc Josaphat, Sr. D Micah Tarlton, Jr. M Connor DeVega.

Top newcomers: Jr. G Logan Swan, So. M William Ambruso, So. D Dante Guarnaccia, So. G Zachary Redanz-Scott, Jr. M Daryl Palomino, Sr. M Justin Tetreault, Fr. F Nathan Judge, Fr. F Louis Hawkins III.

Outlook: The Wildcats will be blending a roster of players representing all four classes, so it may take time for them to jell. Their goal is to improve on past performances and records, according to Briones.

Stonington 

Coach: Paul deCastro (13th season)

Key returnees: Sr. D Ethan Allen, Sr. D Alex Tobiassen, Sr. M Elias Dahl, Sr. M J.P. Pereira, Sr. D Johnny Clark, Sr. M Owen Lindenmayer, Jr. F Sam Montalto, Jr. M Bill deCastro, Jr. M Will Sawin, Jr. D Cole Devoe.

Top newcomers: So. G Brandon Tavares, So. D Josh Lord, So. D Conrad Tobiassen, SO. M Jackson Gothie, Jr. D Ryan Orr, Jr. D Nathan Huynh, Jr. D John Cannella, Jr. G Phoenix Glaza, Jr. M Drew Johnson, Jr. F Dom Morrone.

Outlook: Stonington had a memorable 2019 season, winning its first state championship since 1993 while going undefeated. Several key members of that team, including goalie Peter Fernholz, defenders Rhys Hammond and Will Cannella and midfielder Ty Fidrych, The Day’s All-Area Player of the Year, have graduated. With a nice mix of developing returning players and promising newcomers, the Bears hope to be competitive in the ECC. Montalto, who scored a school-record 33 goals last season, is a player to watch. 

Waterford

Coach: Josh Bessette (2nd season)

Key returnees: Sr. M Alex Ard, Sr. F Nikko Zingus, Sr. M Oliver Searle, Sr. D Will Heenan, Sr. D Bobby Lokken, Sr. G Casey White, Sr. F Norbu Ciren, Jr. F Jeremy Gibbs, Jr. M Colin Palazzo.

Top newcomers: So. M Donovan Bousquet, So F Matias Arcelus, So. D Evan Piotrowski.

Outlook: The Lancers look to improve after a season where they finished without a state tournament berth. They return several varsity players and will rely on that experience for on-field success.

ECC Division II

Grasso Tech

Coach: Paul Jones (9th season)

Key returnees: Sr. Francisco Colon, Jr. Meynor Sanchez, Jr. Fabricio Gonzalez, Jr. Jorge Serrano, So. Adam Chiocola, So. Jason Huacho

Top newcomers: Fr. Jean Berto Genao, Fr. Gavin Jameson, Fr. Nolan Blewitt, Fr. Colby Fedus, Fr. Luca Iglesias, So. Charlie Morrison, Jr. Cole Jorgensen.

Outlook: Grasso Tech will rely on many new players this season, so it will be interesting how the team comes together, according to Jones. "Although this season is going to be different to what we are used to, we're excited about the players that we have," Jones said. "We are also playing many teams we don't normally compete against, so that's exciting."

Griswold

Coach: David Johnson (3rd season)

Key returnees: Sr. M Matt Ladd, Sr. M Dominic Tamburrino, Jr. M Aiden Christie, Jr. D Noah Urena, Jr. D Ryan Fasula, Jr. D Ben Jeffs, Jr. M Jacob Blanchard.

Top newcomers: D Justyn Blanchard, D Owen Ganley.

Outlook: Johnson is disappointed for this group  of upperclassmen that it won't have the opportunity to compete for an ECC title (the Wolverines were in Division III last year) and make a run in the state tournament, calling it "a crazy offseason." "But the boys are ready to play and are very excited to be able to play games," he said. Ladd was an All-ECC pick at midfield last season.

Montville

Coach: Anthony Occhialini (2nd season)

Key returnees: Sr. Jacob Rose, Sr. Cesar Amaya, Sr. Ayden Frechette, Sr. Stephen Duhamel, Sr. Zachary Keenan, Sr. Alex Louissaint, Sr. Isaiah Gallagher, Jr. Aaron Muncaster, Jr. Morgun Whittaker, Jr. Liam Cook, Jr. Rodolfo Reyes, So. Sawyer Tighe, So. Alex Burrell, Jr. Zachary Handler, So. Brendan Duhamel, So. Michael Freeman, So. Dylan Horkey, So. Bradley Dyson, So. Anthony Martin, So. Andrew Jack Giurleo, So. Joseph Carter Vasington, So. Mason Snurkowski.

Top newcomers: Fr. Gavin DeLucia, Fr. Colby Cowan, Fr. Madden Brown, Fr. Benjamin Godburn, Fr. Luis Salas-Mantalvo, Fr. Adonis Santiago.

Outlook: Montville hopes to build on last year's successful season that saw the Indians go 9-4-3, reach the ECC tournament semifinals and play a state tournament game. Rose, an all-state selection, and All-ECC first team pick Amaya will lead a veteran group as team captains. "The soccer program brings back some valuable players this fall and the talent has grown across the board in all grade levels," Occhialini said.

New London

Coach: Roger Desir (4th season)

Key returnees: Jr. F-M Flavio Arevalo, Jr. M-D Jose Hernandez, Sr. M Kervens Joseph.

Top newcomers: Jr. G Anthony Martinez, Jr. M-F Dooby Robert.

Outlook: The Whalers had a tough season in 2019, going winless. They still have obstacles to overcome this season, but they're welcoming many first-time players this fall, so look for gradual improvement as the season progresses.

Norwich Tech

Coach: Jamie Lamatie (8th season)

Key returnees: Sr. D Vincent Cote, Sr. D Kameron Kosma, Sr. M CJ Fusco, Sr. M Zak Jackson, Sr. F Kenny McKenna, Jr. D Chace Davidson, Jr. M Allen Fernandez, Jr. F Tyler Nadeau, So. M Zach Lamitie, So. M Mateo Gonzalez.

Top newcomers: Jr. M Ami Flores, So. G Connor Fishkin, So. D Caleb Bergeron, So M Jackson Dillman, So. F Josh Lavendar, Fr. M Tyler Barry, Fr. F Hunter Jackson, Fr. M Michael George, Fr. D Cameron Maskaly.

Outlook: Norwich Tech graduated only three seniors from last year's roster and will have 10 returning starters. "We are looking forward to competing in the ECC and feel we can be very competitive," Lamitie said. "In addition to the 10 returning players in the starting lineup, we have a great core of younger players that will contribute at the varsity level." McKenna and Cote both received All-CTC Charter Oak Division honors last season.

St. Bernard 

Coach: Joseph Purtill (10th season)

Key returnees: Sr. G Martin Arvidson, Sr. M Perry Belfiglio, Jr. D Charles Niles, Jr. F Aidan Jakubielski, Jr. D Corbett Brassaw, So. M Connor Harris, Sr. F Ryan Crowe.

Top newcomers: Sr. F Santiago Rodriguez, Jr. M Dominic Ranelli, Jr. D Joshua Porterfield, Jr. G Nathan Belchik, SO. D Jahden Murphy, So. G Danny O’Brien, SO. D Nolan Marcile, So. M Umberti Likollari, Fr. M Lucas Ranelli, Fr. M John Paul Peck, Fr. F Jose Pacheco, Fr. M Alexander Graul, Fr. M Theodore Burrell, Fr. M Colin Britner, Fr. M Luke Brannegan.

Outlook: The Saints lost a significant amount of scoring punch, so they “will be looking to develop patterns of play that will help us create scoring chances," Purtill said. Arvidson and Belfiglio, the team captains, will provide leadership while the Saints also have added some promising newcomers in Brannegan and Pacheco as well as transfers Ranelli and Belchik. “Our goal will be to play our best soccer as we head toward November,” Purtill said.

Wheeler 

Coach: Joseph Mendonca (22nd season)

Key returnees: Sr. D Lukas Jones, Jr. D Michael Caster, Jr. D Blake Stedman, Jr. M Matt Pierce, J. M Grant Colsen.

Top newcomers: Jr. M Andrew Patrick, Jr. F Emmanuel Peterle, Jr. M Tim Robarge, Jr. G Matt Ryan, So. M Max Seeley, So. D Matt Carroll, So. F Owen Foberg, So. F Brady Sadowski, Fr. D William Raggon, Fr. F Jonny Anderson, R. M Keiran Boscoe.

Outlook: Wheeler lost some key veterans from last year’s team. Jones, Caster, Colsen and Pierce will serve as team captains and provide leadership. Mendonca is optimistic about the Lions’ season. “We are looking to have a good fall,” he said.

Others

Old Lyme 

Coach: Allyson Gleason (2nd season)

Key returnees: Sr. M Michael Milazzo, Sr. F Avery Welch, Sr. M Jesper Silberberg.

Top newcomers: Sr. M Owen Macadam, So. G Jonah Lathrop, So. D Liam Celic, So. F Anders Silberberg.

Outlook: Under Gleason, the Wildcats landed in the Class S state tournament quarterfinals last year after going 4-23-5 in back-to-back-seasons prior to that and they're ready to be competitive once again in the Shoreline Conference. “They worked diligently all summer and are showing tremendous promise to be a top contender,” Gleason said. Milazzo was a member of The Day's All-Area team.

Williams

Coach: Jason Lu (1st season)

Key returnees: Sr. F Grayson Guinan, Sr. G Max Sarwar, Sr. D J.D. DeLaurentis, Sr. M Nate Marchesi, Sr. D Uzair Alam, Jr. M Colby Potts, Jr M Will Oliver.

Top newcomers: Jr. D Sterling Frost, Jr. D Demetris Martin, So. F Calvin Neff, Sr. M Ben Xenelis, So. D Brendon Marku, So. M Samuel Kaplan, So. F Amand Sarwar, So. D Cody DeLaurentis, So. M Jackson DeFelice

Outlook: Lu, who coached the girls’ varsity last season, takes over the boys’ program. Guinan, a HVAL and NEPSAC standout, returns to lead the offense and will serve as team captain.