Published in the September 9, 2015 edition
THE BOYS’ SOCCER TEAM will be led by senior captains, from left, Nick Colucci, Kuba Jablonka, Tom Anastasi and Zach Bisconti this fall. (Dan Tomasello Photo)
By DAN TOMASELLO
LYNNFIELD — The boys’ soccer team has returned to the field and is looking to make some noise in the Cape Ann League this fall.
The Pioneers concluded the 2014 season with an overall record of 10-4-6. The locals qualified for the Division 4 North state tournament but were eliminated from the state tournament by Boston International in the Division 4 North quarterfinals.
Lynnfield has a strong core of returning players this season. Pioneers head coach Brent Munroe is optimistic the locals will continue building on last year’s successful campaign.
“We have a lot of good players coming back, mostly on the offensive side,” said Munroe. “We have to rebuild our defense but we have a lot of goal scorers and our goalie coming back.”
Four senior captains will lead the Pioneers this fall, including forward Kuba Jablonka. Jablonka led the Pioneers with 20 goals last fall.
“(Jablonka) had a great year for us last year and led us in scoring,” said Munroe. “He will have a lot of talented offensive players around him, so he won’t have to carry the load as much as he did last year. I am expecting him to have a great year.”
Senior captain Nick Colucci will be the Pioneers’ starting goalie this season.
“Nick had a great year for us last year,” said Munroe. “He has played very well for us in the preseason and I expect that will continue in the regular season.”
Senior captain Zach Bisconti will serve as a defensive midfielder for the locals.
“Zach is very steady in the backfield,” said Munroe. “He is going to help us on the backline with his solid and steady play.”
Senior captain Thomas Anastasi will help solidify the locals’ midfield.
“Thomas is a very good outside midfielder,” said Munroe. “He will probably play some inside midfield this year as well. I hope he continues to do what he did for us last year.”
The Pioneers are also welcoming back junior midfielder Matt Seelig.
“Matt was our second leading scorer last year,” said Munroe. “We are moving him from outside midfield to center midfield.”
Junior Will Klotzbier will be joining Seelig in the midfield.
“Will is a big and strong physical player who will help us in the midfield,” said Munroe.
Munroe said the Pioneers’ “depth and scoring” will be the locals’ biggest strengths this season. He said the Pioneers scored a total of six goals in two scrimmages during the preseason.
“We have a lot of different players who can put the ball in the net,” said Munroe.
While the Pioneers have the potential to be an explosive offensive team, Munroe said the Pioneers need to focus on getting better defensively.
“We have tons to work on defensively,” said Munroe. “We have given up five goals in our first two scrimmages and if our goalie didn’t play awesome, we would have given up 10. Our defense will be a work in progress but it’s easier to put a defense together than finding players who can score. I think we will get better defensively but it will take time.”
Upcoming games
The Pioneers travel to Triton on Wednesday, Sept. 9, beginning at 6 p.m. Lynnfield hosts Pentucket on Friday, Sept. 11, beginning at 3:45 p.m. The Pioneers travel to New Mission on Saturday, Sept. 12, beginning at 3 p.m.
