Sports

New Team, New Hopes

Andover Boys Soccer plans to keep all of its momentum from last season’s 13-3-1 record and second-place NEPSAC finish.

Though the players draw confidence from last year’s success, they understand that they cannot lean on their legacy.

“[The 2011 season] is all in the past now; the slate has been wiped clean, and we’re starting from scratch at 0-0-0,” said goalkeeper Zach Merchant ’13.

Led by Captain Jack McGeachie ’13, the team fully expects to put in hours of hard work to fulfill its high expectations for this season.

“We want to take it one step further from last year and win the championship. Personally, my goal is to help my team any way I can on and off of the pitch,” said returning center midfielder Nick DiStefano ’14.

Eight experienced returners will look to incoming talent to make a big impact on the team this year.

“[The] new players will basically form the team this year. They should contribute to the master plan just as much as the returners,” said DiStefano.

While the newcomers will prove key later in the season, they must first figure out their specific roles as Coach Bill Scott works to finalize the roster.

The work ahead of the team was evident in its 1-0 scrimmage loss to Noble and Greenough School (Nobles) last Wednesday.

“[We] started off slow. Our speed of play has to increase if we want to improve,” said newcomer Kene Adigwe ’14.

He continued, “I’m sure we’ll be able to bounce back once the regular season starts. We have a lot of growing to do as a team and this was a good learning experience.”

Returners are expected to create a strong foundation to work new players into the mix and to foster the team’s improvement.

“A key player to watch this year could definitely be Nick DiStefano because of his speed on the ball and his ability to find the right pass,” said returner Dylan Mott ’15.

The team will also look to center back McGeachie and powerhouse left midfielder Taylor Chin ’14 to form a backbone on the team.

Above all, the team’s ambition will carry it to success this season.

“We’re tied with every other team right now. We just have to go out there and prove ourselves,” said DiStefano.

The team will certainty have the opportunity to make a name for itself at home this Friday at 3:30 p.m. against St. Paul’s School.