Editor’s note: Lake Placid, Indian Long/Long Lake, Minerva/Newcomb, Schroon Lake and Wells did not submit information.
The wealth of riches was spread around last season in local boys’ soccer.
Winning Northern Soccer League regular season championships were Plattsburgh High (11-0-1) in Division I, Willsboro (10-0-2) in Division II and Schroon Lake (12-0-0) in Division III.
In Section VII Tournament play, there were three other winners as Beekmantown won in Class B, Northern Adirondack in Class C and Chazy in Class D. Chazy ended up losing in the state finals.
With seven teams returning in each division this year and a number of teams trying to overcome key losses to graduation, it could get interesting once again.
Division I
AuSable Valley
The Patriots have nine returning starters who also played indoor and summer soccer, and know each other’s strengths and weaknesses. AuSable Valley struggled to score goals a year ago and has worked hard on finishing and creating offense in the pre-season, and hope to be improved in that area.
Nate Casey, Jacob Montefusco, Eli Blaise, Alexander Conner, Tanner Lavalley and Austin Depo will need to provide experience, leadership and guidance for the other returning players and newcomers. Other players expected to play important roles are Austin Facteau, Riley Taylor, Prescott Doyle and Elias Smith.
—
Players lost
Nick Rhino, Kyle Sprague, James Rock, Matt Kelly, Mark Chauvin, Hank McCormick, Justin Stamford, Nick Trumble, Brandon Brooks.
Players returning
Nate Casey, Jacob Montefusco, Eli Blaise, Alexander Conner, Tanner Lavalley, Austin Depo, Austin Facteau, Prescott Doyle, Riley Taylor.
Newcomers
Jon Ladieu, Jon Goodnough, Conner Kennedy, Elias Smith, Joshua Taylor, Ian Rennie, Zach Caulkins, Zach Kelly, Nate Devins.
Beekmantown
The Eagles showed they will be a force to be reckoned with this season with a strong showing in Chazy’s Frankie Garrow Memorial Soccer Tournament. Beekmantown recorded a one-sided win over Plattsburgh High and then lost in a shootout to the tournament hosts.
Even though Beekmantown lost its share to graduation, 12 players return to the varsity squad and will be joined by eight newcomers. Returning starters include seniors Zach Brockway, Austin Burl, Brenden Carnright, Adam Goldfarb and Josh Perkins.
—
Players lost
MaCullen Cope, Keon Jahanbakhsh, Spencer Keable, Chris McIlroy, Derek Olsen, Dylan Riley, Zach Towle.
Players returning
Zach Brockway, Austin Burl, Brenden Carnright, Kayleb Costin, Nick Danussi, Mikael Faruqi, Adam Goldfarb, Casey LeClair, Ryan Munson, Josh Perkins, Pawandeep Singh, Dan Villa.
Newcomers
Skye Dominy, Matt LaClair, Dustin Plumadore, Alex Price, Alex Proper, Austin Proper, Ian Pummell, Ryan Waterbury.
Northeastern Clinton
The Cougars are coming off another solid season, but lost 10 players to graduation. Thirteen players return; however, and NCCS has added nine newcomers. The Cougars bring back six starters and expect to be a title contender in Division I.
Senior defender Tom Bedard, senior keeper Josh Rabideau, senior midfielders Avery Trombley and McKenna Hunter, senior forward Kyle McCarthy and junior forward Austin Tetreault are back to lead the way. Dustin Poupore, Zach Guay, Marcus Lefebvre and Patrick Parent are projected starters, while newcomers Rodney Grimshaw and Garrett Begore are expected to start on defense.
—
Players lost
Rob Armstrong, Alex Cartier, Dalton Castine, Cole Cooper, Alex Davison, Ben Leduc, Bo Leduc, Matt Letourneau, Evan MacDougal, Liam McDonough.
Players returning
Tom Bedard, Dustin Poupore, Colby Provost, Josh Rabideau, Avery Trombley, Tyler Bosley, Zach Guay, McKenna Hunter, Jordan LaPier, Marcus Lafebvre, Kyle McCarthy, Patrick Parent, Austin Tetreault.
Newcomers
Matt LaFave, Mason Letourneau, Brent Stein, Rodney Grimshaw, Ryan Marks, Garrett Begore, Austin Gonyo, Calan Deuso, Alex Lamberton.
Peru
The Indians gained experience last season, finishing with a .500 record overall, and will be counting on eight returning starters to continue building success. NCCS showed its potential with a strong showing in Northeastern Clinton’s Pizza Hut Tournament.
The team is still a young one and starters returning include senior keeper Michael Danis, junior forward Jacob Dick, senior defender Colin Lamica, senior midfielder Ryan McCall, sophomore defender Isaac Nixon, sophomore midfielder Jonathan Plessis-Belair, junior forward Ian Spear and senior defender William Thew. Sophomore returners Darick Gonyea and Andrew Kneussle are projected starters, as well as sophomore newcomer Justin Wiley.
—
Players lost
Sean Harrigan, Evan Mooney, Travis Turgeon, Thomas Adams, Kyle Kemp, Nathan Morgan.
Players returning
Bradley Baker, Michael Danis, Jacob Dick, Darick Gonyea, Andrew Kneussle, Russell LaFave, Colin Lamica, Ryan McCall, Isaac Nixon, Jonathan Plessis-Belair, Ian Spear, William Thew.
Newcomers
Brandyn Boisseau, Dylon Bridges, Peter Daly, Zachary Hamilton, Ryan Lawrence, Guy Loveless, Justin Wiley.
Plattsburgh
No team in the league got hit harder by graduation than the Hornets. There are only six seniors on a 17-player roster this season that also includes eight juniors and three sophomores.
Senior captains include midfielder/forward Chris Gray, midfielder/forward Nick Dodd, defender/midfielder Brooks Kelley and defender Mohamed Altahir. Defender/keeper Robby Knowles and defender Dan Patrie will also be looked upon for senior leadership.
—
Player roster
John Fine-Lease, Chris Gray, Jacob Bushey, Jack Tolosky, Nick Dodd, Brady Channell, Chance Nason, Dan Patrie, Yanis Yahiaoui, Chris Mihal, Lucas Leclerc, Dan Mihal, Spencer Hall, Matt Bracy, Brooks Kelley, Mohamed Eltahir, Robby Knowles.
Saranac
The good news for the Chiefs is that they return a solid number of starters from last year. The not-so-good news is that the team is senior dominated and will lose most of those players following this season. The ability to score goals, midfield play and the sweeper position figure to be team strengths.
Senior starters are striker Connor Christopherson, defender/midfielder Brandon Dutko, striker Nicholas Lees, keeper Andrew Tedford, forward/keeper Michael Conway, midfielder Kyle Erickson, defender Nick Finizio, sweeper Ryan Wood and forward Durgan Zappala. Non-senior starters will include junior keeper/forward Jarett Wright, junior forward/midfielder Aaron Cross and freshman midfielder Austin Myers.
—
Players lost
Not available.
Players returning
Connor Christopherson, Brandon Dutko, Matt Bouyea, Nicholas Lees, Andrew Tedford, Michael Conway, Codie Gillette, Nate Mather, Jarett Wright, Parker Couture, Jesse Thew, Kyle Erickson, Caleb Keysor, Joseph Gordon, Aaron Cross, Nick Finizio, Ryan Wood, Durgan Zappala.
Newcomers
Austin Myers, Richard Armstrong.
Saranac Lake
Overall team speed, knowledge of the game and strength in the center of the field from the back to forward are reasons for the Red Storm to be optimistic. Saranac Lake has a 20-player roster, but 14 of those are juniors. However, the incoming juniors are coming off two consecutive winning seasons.
The Red Storm’s passing is a constant work in progress and Saranac Lake will need to be able to possess the ball well to excel against other well-skilled teams. Seniors on the squad include forwards Blake Gregory, Quinn Urquhart and Nick Bayruns, midfielder Joey Monaco and defenders Alex Beaudoin and Sean Orman.
—
Player roster
Alex Beaudoin, Blake Gregory, Quinn Urquhart, Sean Orman, Joey Monaco, Nick Bayruns, Devin Cowan, Aaron Noel, Jacob Merrill, Eli Quinn, Kevin Duguay, David Cluckey, Bradley Shumway, Jacob Heverly, Andrew Paschke, Logan Wood, Shawn Snyder, Jeff Stevens, Blake Battistoni, Oliver Holmes.
Division II
Chazy
The Eagles aren’t expecting to let up from last year and that’s not good news for their opponents. Chazy brings back plenty of experience at forward and midfield. The concern will be some inexperience on defense, including keeper.
Six solid starters return and they include senior forward Brandon Laurin, senior midfielder Nathan Reynolds, senior defender Craig Botten, senior forward Nelson Pelton, junior midfielder Hayden Guay and sophomore midfielder Josh Barriere.
Senior defender Cole Chaskey, sophomore midfielder Derek Drake, junior defender Dylan Doran and junior defender Alec Lapierre also return and are projected as starters this season. The goalkeeper duties will go to either senior Kyle Bisonette or junior Trent Blais, who are both newcomers to the varsity.
—
Players lost
Jordan Barriere, Alex Sweet, Hunter Dominy, Michael Ryba, Austin Santor.
Players returning
Brandon Laurin, Nathan Reynolds, Craig Botten, Nelton Pelton, Nolan Rogers, Cole Chaskey, Brett Giroux, Justin Brothers, David Poitras, Justin Roy, Richard Pilion, Hayden Guay, Josh Barriere, Derek Drake, Dylan Doran, Alec Lapierre, Alex Rabideau.
Newcomers
Jacob Kennedy, Kyle Bisonette, Trent Blais, Dylan Garrow, Thomas Thibault, Brenden Ryan, Zach Brothers.
Elizabethtown-Lewis
The always-tough Lions, despite the loss of 12 players, will strive to play for the Section VII Class D championship with excellent team speed and newcomers who are quickly gaining the needed experience.
E’town-Lewis will have a 21-player roster that includes five starters in senior midfielders Charlie Huttig and Brody Hooper, sophomore striker Will Tomkins, junior goalkeeper Justin Lapier and junior stopper Austin Morris.
—
Players lost
Hunter Mowery, Tim LaRock, Jeremy Rushby, Tyler White, Brock Marvin, Cole Fernandez, Nate Allott, Spencer Crowningshield, Patrick Phillips, Louis Scaglione, Connor Apthorp, Josh Williams.
Players returning
Charlie Huttig, Brody Hooper, Hunter Farrell, Will Tomkins, Justin Lapier, Austin Morris, Terry Thomas, Caleb Denton, Geeg Dedam, Owen Denton.
Newcomers
Cortland White, Connor Marvin, Zac Noka Bouley, Hugh Harwood, Wesley Whalen, Isaiah Turner, Joel Morris, Noah Farrell, Cody Gowdy, Dominic DeMuro, Trevor Brooks.
Northern Adirondack
The Bobcats will look to defend their sectional championship with a strong core of returning players who have begun to gel. The concern at this time; however, is a lack of depth with only 13 players on the roster. NAC will need to stay healthy in order to reach its goals.
Senior forward/midfielder Nolan Ferguson, senior forward/midfielder Justin Kellett, senior back Ryan Paiser, junior back Dylan LaBarge and sophomore midfielder Scott Kellett return as starters. Keeper/back Danny Burger, keeper/back Colby Garrand, midfielder/back Evan Nichols, midfielder/back Jared Nichols and forward Brady Smart also return and will start.
—
Players lost
David Miller, Ethan Mousseau, Josh Rabideau, Shane Trudeau.
Players returning
Danny Burger, Nolan Ferguson, Colby Garrand, Justin Kellett, Evan Nichols, Jared Nichols, Ryan Paiser, Dylan LaBarge, Brady Smart, Scott Kellett.
Newcomers
Hunter Favereau, Tyler Bracy, Alden Kerr.
Seton Catholic
There is optimism for the Knights as all 14 players on the roster have varsity experience, including seven with two or more years on the varsity squad. Two-time all-star Adam Tedford, a midfielder/forward, returns for his junior season. Seton Catholic will have depth at the keeper position with Joey LaFranca and Keagen Briggs and also at midfield.
Other key players will include midfielder/forward Kaden Baugh, defender Tom Deon, defender Nicholas Favreau, defender Chris Kustos, midfielder/forward Patrick Massix and defender/midfielder Cody Quantock. Despite the good varsity experience, there is a concern about a fairly small roster of 14 players
—
Players lost
Mike Richter, Ren Wakatsuki.
Returning players
Kaden Baugh, Keagen Briggs, Vinh Phuc Bui, Tom Deon, Nicholas Favreau, Keegan Frenyea, Noah Gagnier, Chris Kustos, David LaFountain, Joey LaFranca, Patrick Maddix, James Mulligan, Noah Osborne, Cody Quantock, Adam Tedford.
Westport
The Eagles have decent numbers with 16 players on the roster, but will need to overcome some youth and inexperience and there are only two seniors — midfielder Jack Newberry and fullback Gabriel Schrauf — on the team. The players are fast learners; however, and have been improving each day.
In addition to Newberry and Schrauf, other returning starters are junior midfielder Ryan Davis, junior forward John Doyle, junior midfielder Robert King and junior sweeper Lloyd Staats. Sophomore William Daha and freshman Jonathan Gay were on the varsity last season and will also start, along with three freshmen newcomers — Sam Napper, Thomas Mero and Anderson Gay.
—
Players lost
Ethan Markwica, Cooper Sayward, Jonathan Magoon, James Stone, Garrett Hinge, Domenic Banish.
Players returning
Jack Newberry, Gabriel Schrauf, Ryan Davis, John Doyle, Robert King, James Morrisette, Jordan Spadafora, Jesse Misarski, Tyrel Tryon, Lloyd Staats, William Daha, Jonathan Gay.
Newcomers
Sam Napper, Thomas Mero, Anderson Gay, Matt Sherman.
Willsboro
The Warriors are coming off a championship season in Division II, but this year’s team will need to make a name for itself as Willsboro lost 10 players from a year ago, including nine who graduated and one who transferred. Among the players who graduated is Clay Sherman, who is now playing for Plattsburgh State.
And although the Warriors are young, the players know how to win. Junior midfielder Nick Arnold, senior defender/midfielder Sam Politi and junior forward Seth Swires are the only starters returning. Tyler Bridge, Dakoda Latford, Walker Lobdell, Jarrid McVicker and Brandon Porter are also back and are projected to start. Varsity newcomers Lucas Cross, Zach Pierson and Jake Hubbard will also start on a team that will need to overcome lack of depth with just three substitutes.
—
Players lost
Clay Sherman, Clayton Cross, Dakota Sayward, Michael Smith, Nick Ball, Cody Sayward, Brandon Bertrand, Jeff Bigelow, Eddie Kelly, John Fine-Lease.
Returning players
Nick Arnold, Tyler Bridge, Dakoda Latford, Walker Lobdell, Jarrid McVicker, Sam Politi, Brandon Porter, Seth Swires.
Newcomers
Nolan Murphy, Lucas Cross, Zach Pierson, Vadim Krivitskiy, Jake Hubbard, Justin Mesec.
Division III
Crown Point
Senior Gabe Macey returns as the leading scorer from last year with 11 goals. But nobody else on the roster scored more than two, so the Panthers need to find some players to help Macey. Crown Point was competitive last year, but injuries, inexperience and scoring woes were difficult to overcome.
Crown Point does have a strong group of four senior defenders who will provide support to new sophomore keeper Brendon Crowningshield. Joe Foote will back him up. With 10 returning players, including seven seniors, the Panthers are looking to put a few more games in the win column.
—
Players lost
Nathan Tabor, Tanner Macey, Caleb McGuinness, Jeff Clarke, Nick Vezzi, Kyle Hunsdon.
Players returning
Mike DuShane, Dan Groshans, Mike Gould, Mike Enman, Gabe Macey, Duke Mildon, Jon Spaulding, Joe Foote, Jaice Spring, Calvin Arno.
Newcomers
Brendon Crowningshield, Kolby Pertak, Noah Macey, Chad Stephens.
Keene
The Beavers are hoping they will have strength on defense and at midfield. But like some other teams, Keene needs to overcome some inexperience. Of the 11 players back from a year ago, there are only four seniors to go along with two juniors and five sophomores.
There are; however, seven starters back, including senior defender Jack Van Wie, senior midfielder Jeffery Bruha, junior defender Gabe Warner, sophomore midfielder Colton Venner, sophomore keeper Brandon Dumas, sophomore defender Harry Joanette and sophomore defender Warren Ashe. Newcomers to the varsity will are expected to start are Austin Brown, Justin Haverlack and Cougar Smith.
—
Players lost
Austin Holbrook, Everett Reinderer, Brett Guerin.
Players returning
Jack Van Wie, Jeffery Bruha, Eli Smith, Sam Balzac, Maxx Sturgis, Gabe Warner, Colton Venner, Brandon Dumas, Harry Joanette, J.T. Giglinto, Warren Ashe.
Newcomers
Austin Brown, Tim Matenez, Justin Haverlack, Cougar Smith, Cadin Belise.
Johnsburg
The Jaguars have a mix of eight returners and seven newcomers, and the veterans will need to provide leadership. Several key positions, however, will be filled with younger players and that is a concern. Seniors on this year’s roster include midfielder/forward Ethan Cooper, midfielder/forward Nick Porter, keeper Chet Prouty and defender Zach Watson. The squad consists of five seniors, one junior, six sophomores and three freshmen, making it a very young lineup.
—
Players lost
Alec McKee, Taylor Ordway, Chris Scott, Dustin Weller.
Returning players
Ethan Cooper, Nick Porter, Chet Prouty, Zach Watson, Austin Washburn, Aidan Connelly, Moses Mulvey, Nathan Prouty.
Newcomers
Jonathan Ordway, Patrick Harrison, Jason Morehouse, Laura Richards, Ty Berg, Mark Cleveland, Tyler Glover.
