HCS Boys Soccer has Experience & Depth

RFH 2010

Thu, Aug 26, 2010

Coach Brian Latella begins his eighth year as head coach of the HCS boys soccer team with a team rich in post-season experience, the ability to win big games and deal with pressure. Despite graduating eight seniors last year, the HCS squad remains deep with upperclassmen: there is not a single freshman on the team firs the first time in a while.

As always, Latella is optimistic, and again, as always, believes a well-drilled and disciplined team -- in the classroom and on the soccer pitch -- will be successful when the Sectionals begin.

The Knights scrimmage at Mt. Markham on Wednesday and are home for a tune-up with New Hartford Friday at 1 p.m. at home. Latella's squad gets the season under way for real on Sept. 7 at home under the lights vs. Morrisville-Eaton. (Now that HCS will field no football team this year, both the boys and girls soccer teams will play as many home games under the lights as possible.)

Last Year:

17--4-1, Section III Champions, Region III-IV Champions (both back to back), NY State Final Four Team, Final rank #3

This Year's Goals:

Win Hamilton Optimist Cup (Class D foe, Cincinnatus is coming to tourney, 1-0 W in tight game last year),
Play for another sectional championship.
Stay healthy
Use regular season as a measuring stick of improvement,
Don't look ahead, play one game at a time.

Missing Last Year's Seniors:

8 seniors, 4 starters Mikey Jones, Blaine Holcomb, Dan Meeks, Jack Sullivan.
All will be missed
Mikey, (Coop 1-0) Dan (Poland, Sauquoit, SS Seward) and Jack (Poland finals) all had big time goals in key victories.
Jack's tenacious defending will be missed
You can't make up for Dan's experience of starting during two state championship runs.
Blaine brought a blue-collar work ethic that was rippled throughout the team.
Mikey brought a great sense of humor to keep the team grounded, while also being a dangerous scorer from the left side.

Strengths This Year:

Experience of past two seasons (39-6-1).
Senior leadership and depth.
First year coaching that freshman haven't figured into the starting line-up. There will not be any freshman on the varsity this season.

Five Key Players:

Dan Kraynak - CM (all-state in 2009)
Drew Thompson - CM (tireless work rate)
Joe Taranto - D (defensive leader)
Kinnon Nolan-Finkel - GK (15 SO, including 11 consecutive)
Lucas Rhyde - D (first year soccer player has improved tremendously in off-season)

Three Keys to 2010 Success: