Season Preview: Boy's Soccer

Coach: Matt Dunsmore, 1st year

Last year: 9-9 (5-3 Northwestern District); lost to Millbrook in district final.

Key losses: Spencer Marfing, Logan Yost, Chandler DeHaven, Joe Kysela, Alex Pate, Garrett Hodgson.

Top returning players: Jon Henriques, Sr. F; Brandon Jones, Sr. D; Tommy Houser, Sr. M; Michael Carter, Sr. F; Luke Farinholt, Jr. M; Cameron Frye, Sr. GK; Daniel Schoeman, Jr. D; Matt Radar, Sr. M; Joe Balderas, Sr. M; Chris Francis, So. D.

Newcomers: Ryland Williams, Jr. F; Logan Moore, Sr. GK; Andrew Shade, So. F; Colin Watts, Fr. M.

Outlook: Though Dunsmore, who replaces Chris Hild, who departed after four seasons, is in his first year as head coach, he has plenty of familiarity with James Wood’s players after serving under Hild as a varsity assistant and being the head JV coach for the past five seasons.

With six returning starters, Dunsmore definitely likes what he sees.

“I think we have a chance to have a good season,” Dunsmore said. “Defensively I think we’re going to be very strong, and we can play any formation. I think there are a lot of positives.”

Led by Jones and new starting goalkeeper Frye, the Colonels started the season off on the right foot on defense with a 2-0 shutout of Broadway.

There’s also plenty of offensive punch on the Colonels. Second-team all-district selection Henriques (eight goals, six assists last year), scored both goals against the Gobblers. James Wood also brings back two strong players to the midfield in Houser and Carter, both of whom were second-team all-district selecttions last year.

“[Houser] is ‘Coach Tommy’ on the field,” Dunsmore said. “He’s going to give us a lot of leadership this year.”