Hoosac Boys Set to Defend Crown

CHESHIRE, Mass. — The Hoosac Valley High School boys soccer team begins the defense of its South Division championship on Friday at rival Drury, but the Hurricanes have more than winning the South on their minds.

 

"I think we should take most of the games in the South because I think we have more depth," second-year coach Camilo Bermudez said this week. "I know all the schools in the South deal with numbers issues becuase it's all Division 2 and 3 [schools]. But we're of high enough quality that we can also compete with the North teams."

 

The 'Canes get their first look at the North on Tuesday when they open on the road at Wahconah.

 

Last fall, Hoosac went 9-6-2 overall and bowed out to sixth-seeded Hampshire in the first round of the Western Massachusetts Division 2 tournament.

 

That was an OK season for any program, but it was a quantum leap for Hoosac.

 

"Last year was the year they came back from the 1-13 season," Bermudez said. "Last year, they got that out of the way. We won nine games. I think we've got that experience. I think now it's just moving forward."

 

There is plenty of reason for optimism in the Hoosac camp this summer. Last year, the Hurricanes headed into the season off a 3-1 loss in a scrimmage against tournament-bound Athol. Last month, the 'Canes beat Athol, 2-0, in their scrimmage.

"So I think we are moving forward," Bermudez said.

 

Hoosac graduated leading scorer Nick Ryan (13 goals, six assists) and goalkeeper Tom Galisa. But it welcomes back seniors Sean Ryan-Kut and Shaun Knapp, who accounted for eight and six goals, respectively, in 2012.

 

A third senior, Matt Waltermire, was one of the top defenders in Berkshire County last year.

 

Those returners will be helped by a talented crop of newcomers, Bermudez said. Six-foot-2 goalkeeper Colby Ells has been a force in goal in the preseason, freshman Steven Crouch and Colin Rousseau showed promise on the junior varsity last fall and 2013 state qualifier in triple jump sophomore Dante Sandifer makes the leap to soccer for the first time this season.

 

"We're going to have him go out there and run like crazy," Bermudez said with a grin. "We're going to use him wisely."