The South Hadley boys soccer team proved to be the best team in Division 4 last season, as the Tigers rolled through the state tournament before trouncing Blackstone Valley 5-2 in the title game to clinch the program’s first state championship. South Hadley was led by a heavy group of seniors and finished the season with a 20-2-2 record.
Now, with those 14 seniors passing the torch and a new wave of players stepping in to play big minutes, the Tigers are essentially a completely different bunch in 2023. Across both junior varsity and varsity, South Hadley has 25 freshmen and sophomores, and first-year head coach Mike Gauthier — who stepped in to replace Eric Castonguay — is prepared to play whoever he believes gives him the best chance to win soccer games.
“I’m very fluid with my players,” Gauthier said. “If I hear a JV player is playing really well, they’re coming up, and vice versa. Nothing is [set in stone]. It’s going to take time for this whole thing to shake out — the positions, who works with who, and what team they’re gonna be on. They’re young, but they’re learning.”
Coming into this season, the South Hadley players were ready to hit the ground running, doing their best to repeat the success of last year’s team and sustain the buy-in from the school and the community in 2022. But Gauthier recognizes the enormous roster turnover, and understands that their goals will be much different.
“The benefit of that success is that the kids feel it, the fans feel it, and the whole school gets really involved in the program,” Gauthier said. “And now, it’s check the kids at the door and say hey, ‘Let’s go slow, let’s do the simple things well.’ We know this isn’t the same team, but we have potential. We’re gonna work on that every week and make baby steps.”
South Hadley lost its season opener on Tuesday against Amherst (2-0), but played a terrific second half that should keep the club optimistic about what’s to come as the season unfolds. Gauthier has urged his players to stay motivated and positive through the expected growing pains early on.
“Lick your wounds and get back out there,” Gauthier said. “I want these kids to be resilient, and I want them to get comfortable with being uncomfortable. All that simply means is that when you’re doing something and you get some feedback, it’s not going to be, ‘Hey, that was really good,’ all the time. It’s going to be supportive teaching and criticism.”
While it’s typical for coaches to base season success on wins and losses, Gauthier measures success with a different metric. He wants South Hadley — led by junior Jack Chagnon and sophomore Noah Carillon — to simply control the controllable, and worry about attention to detail on every play.
“I really believe, and I try to emphasize this every day, focus and concentration can take you a long way,” Gauthier said. “So let’s work hard in practice, watch what happens in the games, and develop what happens from there. My expectations are more psychological. Come in here, focus and work hard and we’ll see what happens.”
Carillon was magnificent in goal during the Tigers’ season opener, tallying 12 saves on 14 Amherst shots with many of them coming on lunging efforts. With he and Chagnon — who probably has the most experience out of the returning varsity players — holding down the defense, South Hadley should be tough to score on once again.
“He’s got the ability, he’s got the know-how, the physical skill to really lead out on the field,” Gauthier said of Chagnon. “He does a great job for us trying to keep the kids organized.”
Amherst head coach Matt Travis had this to say of Carillon after the Hurricanes game with South Hadley earlier this week: “Their keeper, even though we won, I thought was the man of the match. He played extremely well to keep them in it. I think they’re going to win a lot of games just because of his play back there.”
Although South Hadley is a combined 29-8-5 over the past two seasons, the Tigers got off to moderate starts in both campaigns. Gauthier believes this year might be another one of those instances.
“We’re looking for a lot of development… and as long as we can get through September, we can be alright,” he said. “The last two years we’ve done really well, but we’ve always started kind of slow. It’s really simple, we’re going one day at a time. If we do the right things, we’ll see the improvements, and come October we’ll be a much better team.”
The Tigers (0-1 in 2023) hit the pitch again on Friday hoping to lay the foundation for their season. That game is a 4 p.m. road bout with Easthampton.
South Hadley
COACH: Mike Gauthier, first season
LEAGUE/DIVISION: Moriarty/4
LAST YEAR’S RECORD: 20-2-2, Division IV state champions
ROSTER: Seniors — Sam Morozov, Christian Aponte; Juniors – Jack Chagnon, Cooper Skibel, Michael Garand, Avery Haber, Jackson Keller, Joe Sabourin; Sophomores – Noah Carillon, Ari Alatalo, Brady Graham, Gavin Losty, Anthony Adams, Ethan Markham, Colin Lumb, Colin Zraunig, Ben Gillis, PJ Lavelle, Logan Luis; Freshmen – Nolen Masse, Spenser Parsons, Dan Beaulieu
Hampshire
COACH: Dan Moynahan, 24th season
LEAGUE/DIVISION: Churchill/4
LAST YEAR’S RECORD: 16-3-2, lost in Class B Western Mass. semifinals, lost in Division IV state quartefinals
ROSTER: Seniors — Jesse Connors, Dominick Dybacki, Aidan Miklasiewicz, Owen Millay, Aidan Moynahan, Liam Pond, Vincent Zononi; Juniors — Dan Martin, Jack Wresien, Tim Slate, Brendan Stevenson, Ayden St. Martin, Colin Holt, Elijah Picard; Sophomores — Owen Miller, Colin Cahill, Parker Christy, Joe Moro
OUTLOOK: Hampshire was nothing short of dominant last year. All but one of the Raiders victories came via shutout in 2022, and the team scored 81 goals in their 21 games – good for 3.9 goals per contest. Senior Aidan Miklasiewicz leads the offensive attack for Hampshire in 2023, coming off an impressive 22 goals and 10 assists a year ago. Hampshire also has Brendan Stevenson (12 goals in 2022), Aidan Moynihan (10 goals, 13 assists in 2022), Dan Martin (10 goals, 13 assists in 2022), and Owen Miller (12 goals, seven assists in 2021 as eighth grader) to go along with Miklasiewicz. The Raiders’ high-powered offense is just as good as their tough defense, led by junior Ayden St. Martin. Something worthy of nothing for Hampshire is that Miklasiewicz has the chance to beat the total points scored in a career record held by Mark Tesse – a record that hasn’t been touched since the 1970s.
Northampton
COACH: CJ Holt, third season
LEAGUE/DIVISION: Holley/2
LAST YEAR’S RECORD: 10-6-3, lost in Class A Western Mass. quarterfinals, lost in Division II state preliminary round
ROSTER: Seniors — Sky Allen Brezsnyak, Roan Dunkerley, Teddy Galvin, Koa Klose, Nevin LaBrusciano, Finn Norsen, Sebastian Pacheco Rubio; Juniors — Nick Biddle, Ryland Breen, Max Marlin, Jackson Oravec, Minti Peterson; Sophomores — Jasper Cantor, Salem Gregory, Tate Norsen; Freshmen — Sam Busone, Owen MacLachlan, Rhys MacLachlan, Armany Rodriguez, Noah Senn-McNally, Will Senn-McNally
OUTLOOK: Northampton got hot to end the regular season last year, as it lost only one of its last 10 contests before heading into the postseason. The Blue Devils have a hefty amount of seniors and juniors ready to compete and get themselves back into the state tournament once again. Northampton lost its two main offensive weapons in John Senn-McNally and Leo Derose, but senior Finn Norsen and company are poised to fill those gaps. With a deep team and plenty of combined experience, the Blue Devils should be in good position to get back to double-digit wins.
Amherst
COACH: Matt Travis
LEAGUE/DIVISION: Smith/2
LAST YEAR’S RECORD: 6-10-3, lost in Class A Western Mass. quarterfinals, lost in Division II state Round of 32
ROSTER: Seniors — Owen Candito, Inigo De los Reyes, Skyler Ferro, Rabi Mednicoff-Misra, Patrick Staudenmayer, Liam Stewart; Juniors — Finley Boerman, Abdi Byl-Brann, Jonah Eggemeier, Insaf Fazal, Henry Lepak, Victor Nunez, Alioun Sarr, Kyle Uysal, Brian Weston; Sophomores — Colin Glennon, Tri Nguyen, Daniel Nunez Saravia, David Teixeira; Freshmen — Graham Arguin, Alexander Pobezinskiy
OUTLOOK: Amherst has 21 players on its 2023 boys soccer team, with 14 of them being first-year members of the varsity squad. Senior Patrick Staudenmayer was the leading goal scorer a season ago, and is primed for another solid year to finish out his high school career. Senior Liam Stewart and junior Jonah Eggemeier are two lock-down defenders who will look to stymie opposing attacks, while Owen Candito joins Staudenmayer up front leading the offense for the Hurricanes. Seven of Amherst’s 10 losses in 2022 were decided by one goal. If the ball bounces differently this season, the Hurricanes could be in for a solid year.
Smith Academy
COACH: Jason Duncan
LEAGUE/DIVISION: Schmid/5
LAST YEAR’S RECORD: 16-3-2, Class E Western Mass. champions, lost in Division V state Round of 32
ROSTER: Seniors — Isaak Baranoski, Ben Hudzik, Sam Stanton, Greg Stone, Ayden Whalen; Juniors — Jack Brady, Cameron Graves, Ian Guzowski, Ryan McCoy, Lukas Punska, Jake Wilcox, Garrett Willard; Sophomores — Cajun Benson, Jacob Gingras, Aidan Hopfenspirger, Rowan Jeffress, Harrison LaFlamme, Grant Murray, Matthew Scagel, Grayson Zima; Freshmen — Aaden Weybrew
OUTLOOK: The 2022 Smith Academy senior class was one of the most successful classes in program history, winning back-to-back Western Mass. titles and qualifying for the state tournament in both years. After losing those nine players, eight of which were starters, the Falcons are experiencing some roster turnover and will have to look elsewhere for production. Senior Ben Hudzik proves to be the main player to step up, as he hopes to improve on his 10 goals and 18 assists from a season ago and lead the Smith Academy offense. Head coach Jason Duncan knows his team has its work cut out for them, but he believes the Falcons have what it takes to make it three straight regional crowns.
Gateway
COACH: Andrew McCaul, fourth season
LEAGUE/DIVISION: Schmid/5
LAST YEAR’S RECORD: 3-10-4, lost in Class E Western Mass. quarterfinals
ROSTER: Seniors — Sean Kingsley, Dylan Buckman, Dakota McCallister, Andrew Nedeoglo; Juniors — Ivan Chepurenko, Mason LaBranche, Dawson Jackman, Michael Nieves; Sophomores — Bow Briggs, David Nedeoglo, Andrew Chepurenko; Freshmen — Cole Przbyla, Jackson Renaud, Roan Boeri, Zachary Hess, Elijah Chepurenko; Eighth Grade — Nolan Bloomrose
OUTLOOK: Head coach Andrew McCaul fields a solid team in his fourth year as head coach of the Gators. Gateway won two of its first three games in 2022 before going on a lengthy losing streak. The Gators struggled to score goals a season ago, as they were held scoreless in seven of their 10 losses – including their Western Mass. quarterfinal loss to Smith Academy. Gateway hopes to be much improved on offense, led by senior Andrew Nedeoglo and junior Ivan Chepurenko.
Belchertown
COACH: Zach Siano
LEAGUE/DIVISION: Smith/3
LAST YEAR’S RECORD: 17-2-4, Class B Western Mass. champions, lost in Division 3 state semifinals
ROSTER: Seniors — Rainer Kristensen, Tanner Lockwood, Chris Rivers, Mason Rodrigues, Trevor Weiss; Juniors – Jack Bergeron, Gavin Boisjolie, Joey Borelli, Esat Cayan, Adam Cooper, Kyle Dunigan, Kamden Houle, Jack Mandeville, Ian McDonald, Joshua Misiaszek, Jack Sullivan, Noah Yankson, Joseph Yoon; Sophomores – Chase Connor, Gianni Damato, Nathan Marino, Austin Raymer
OUTLOOK: Belchertown is another team that has departed from a boatload of seniors over the past couple of seasons. The Orioles have lost over 25 seniors combined over the last two years alone, and the defending Class B Western Mass. champs will have to look elsewhere for leadership here in 2023. The only regular season loss Belchertown suffered last season was a 1-0 contest with Ludlow, which has now won four consecutive Western Mass. championships. Despite the Orioles moving on from players that helped them reach the final four, they do have plenty of talent returning. Trevor Weiss and Tanner Lockwood contributed in 2022 and are senior captains ready to step into vocal roles, and Jack Mandeville split time in net as a sophomore last year, but is ready to show Hampshire County why he is one of the best goalies in the region.
Smith Vocational
COACH: Max Weider
LEAGUE/DIVISION: Tri-County/5
LAST YEAR’S RECORD: 9-7-1, lost in Class D Western Mass. semifinals, state tournament qualifier
ROSTER: n/a
OUTLOOK: Information was not provided by press time.
Granby
COACH: Todd Dorman, 21st season
LEAGUE/DIVISION: Schmid/5
LAST YEAR’S RECORD: 13-4-4, lost in Class E Western Mass. finals, los in Division V state Round of 32
ROSTER: Seniors — Benjamin Berger, Nicolas Grandmont, Spencer Labonte, Colin Murdock; Juniors — Jack Crawford, Cole Fuller, Riley Goodhind, Tristan Moe, Gavin Moreno, Cody White, Jaxton Roy; Sophomores — Brodie Funk, Jake Gagnon, Anthony Santiago, Daniel Santiago; Freshmen — Brandon Carillon
OUTLOOK: Granby has turned in two consecutive very strong seasons, including a runner-up showing in the Western Mass. championship a year ago. Although the Rams have moved on from their top two scorers from 2022 in Robert L’Abbee and Johnathan Santiago (both graduated), they also return some solid contributors. Gavin Moreno (eight goals) and Riley Goodhind (six goals, four assists) had solid seasons as sophomores last year, and look to take that next leap to keep Granby toward the top of its league. Senior Benjamin Berger will anchor the defense, and he was a key reason the Rams had one of the best defenses in the area in 2022.
Hopkins Academy
COACH: Omar Abdelaal, first season
LEAGUE/DIVISION: Schmid/5
LAST YEAR’S RECORD: 11-6-2, lost in Class E Western Mass. quarterfinals, lost in Division V state Round of 32
ROSTER: Seniors — Ryder Gallo-O’Connell, Tresor Akimana, Carter Whitney, Dominic Aloisi, James Fitzgibbons; Juniors — Alex West, Chase Simonich, Andrew Jekanowski, Liedson Miranda, Nick Cain, Nick Uchneat, Austin Dizek, Max Wojtowicz, Ben Kosciusko, Neil McFarlane, Logan Bye, Lucas Cabral Silva; Sophomores — Chase Earle, James Anderson; Freshmen — Nathan Rickles
OUTLOOK: With 17 juniors and seniors on this season’s team, Hopkins will certainly be led by its veteran leadership and experience. The Golden Hawks, however, lost Patrick Fitzgibbons (15 goals, nine assists in 2022) to graduation and Teddy Cyr (21 goals, 14 assists) who is now attending prep school. Hopkins has to find that offensive production elsewhere. Early candidates to step into the spotlight include, freshman Nate Rickles and sophomores James Anderson and Chase Earle. Seniors Tresor Akimana and Dominic Aloisi are more than capable of facilitating the attack as well, as Akimana finished fourth on the team in assists in 2022 while Aloisi finished third. The Golden Hawks look to build off last year’s solid season in 2023 under first-year head coach Omar Abdelaal.
Easthampton
COACH: Andrew Lawrence
LEAGUE/DIVISION: Moriarty/4
LAST YEAR’S RECORD: 10-6-3, lost in Class C Western Mass. quarterfinal, lost in Division IV state Round of 16
ROSTER: n/a
OUTLOOK: Information was not provided by press time.
Holyoke
COACH: Cameron Rivest, first season
LEAGUE/DIVISION: Holley/3
LAST YEAR’S RECORD: 1-13-3
ROSTER: Seniors — Adrian Centeno-Feliciano, Alexander Dumas, Xavier Matos, Bradley Provost, Alvin Silva; Juniors — Christian Guzik, Landon Koziara, Arthur Mazzu, Peter Pluta; Sophomores — Don Ampofo, Nathaniel Gomez, Ryan Kennedy, Christian Piedra, Jaybriel Rivera-Soto; Freshmen — Xevier Davila, Nayan Tabin
OUTLOOK: Holyoke had an underwhelming season in 2022, as the Purple Knights turned in just one victory in 17 games played. This year, they will be taking instruction from a new coach. Cameron Rivest steps in for Jeffrey Richard in hopes to turn the program around. Holyoke hasn’t had a winning season since 2017, but there is room for optimism in 2023 with lots of returning players from last year’s team.
Frontier
COACH: Evan Horton
LEAGUE/DIVISION: Moriarty/4
LAST YEAR’S RECORD: 13-5-3, lost in Div. 4 semifinals
ROSTER: Nico Fasulo, Wyatt Finch, Andrew Garappolo, Rosco Palmer, Christopher Penza, Max Rajballie, Chanhee Son, Jack Storm, Aidan Valderrama, Kaisac Yath, Owen Babb, Sam Bakare, Benjamin Cachiguango, TJ Donovan, William Reading, Chanmin Son, Tavo Vincent-Warner, Diego Frazier, Eric Larsson, Max Millette, Ian Paciorek, Adrien Pazmandy, Augustus Radner, Grayson Bishop, Jack Cusson
OUTLOOK: The Redhawks have been knocking on the door of a state title the last few years, making it to the the Div. 4 final in 2021 and the semis last year. Horton will be replacing eight seniors, including Brady Burch and Devin Niles who combined for 32 goals and 20 assists a season ago. Rosco Palmer — who started at Mohawk Trail, transferred to Smith Vocational and is now at Frontier for his senior year — is a player Horton is high on, as he’ll bring speed and scoring ability up front along with Fasulo and Valderrama. Chanhee Son will operate as an attacking midfielder, with Paciorek, Larsson and Greenfield transfer Bakare working in the midfield as well. Garappolo, Cachiguango, Storm and Frazier will factor in on defense with the 6-foot-6 Babb there to clean things up in goal.
