The Souhegan High School boys soccer team returns nine players from a team that went 16-3 a year ago and advanced to the Class I semifinals. In that group are five seniors, including captains Dalton Cohen, Grant Peret and Cameron Quinn.
But if the Sabers are to experience last year’s success in the new Division II, coach Dave Saxe knows they’ll have to put in a lot of work.
“To be a top four team we’ll have to ensure that everyone is willing and able to do the defensive work necessary to win games,” Saxe said. “That part will be part grit and determination, and significantly organization, sound defensive decision making, and rehearsal. Everyone has to execute well in their role on the field.”
Last year, Souhegan made its second semifinal appearance in three years, but the 2009 season was different. In 2007, the Sabers were the 11th seed and had to pull of two upsets to get to the final four. In 2009, Souhegan was the No. 4 seed and lost 1-0 to Hanover, which went on to win its fifth-straight title.
While Souhegan won’t face the defending champions in the regular season, it will take on runner-up Coe-Brown, Oyster River and Bedford, along with newcomers Goffstown, Trinity and Manchester West, which all moved down from Class L, and Windham, which is in its first year as a varsity team. The Sabers will also play Hollis/Brookline, Milford and Con-Val twice.
“We’ll need to focus on possession of the ball no matter where we go, and we’ll be dangerous,” Saxe said. “If we can produce a few killer passes in the final third that open up a defense for a second, we’ll be able to create chances. That is one area we are focusing on now.”
Other returning players include seniors Madison Bird and Kyle Robertson; juniors Lucas Aveling, Josh Norton and James Sheldon; and sophomore Willis Griffith.
Joining them are seniors Ben Brown, Erik Hayden, Stephen Roberge and Seth Cordts; juniors Peter Annunziata, Alfredo Chiappini and Jack Chapman; and sophomore Sam Leedy.
Souhegan opens its season Friday at 6 p.m. at Bedford.