Sports
SJP Soccer Motivated by 2010’s Early Exit From Tournament
XC needs underclassmen to step up to offet graduation of top five runners
As regular seasons go, it’s hard to improve upon the 14-2-2 mark compiled by Catholic Conference champion St. John’s Prep last fall. However, the season came to a premature and unfulfilling end as the Eagles were bounced in the first round of the Division 1 North Sectional by Acton-Boxboro.
That loss still nags at veteran Coach Dave Crowell as he embarks on his 11th season.
“As always, we have high expectations. We look to repeat as Catholic Conference champions and qualify for the tournament. Our goal is to move deep into the tournament – we are still disappointed by last season’s early exit,” Crowell said.
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A balanced offensive attack features six players who scored three or more goals last season, paced by senior center back Deklan Robinson (10 goals, 5 assists) and senior striker Ryan McManus (8 goals, 1 assist). Senior center-mid Grant Bean, senior striker Joe Centofanti, senior striker Dan Terner and senior midfielder Bryan Browne all connected for three goals each.
Senior keeper Ken Fryer and senior back Jack Gourdeau join Robinson as team captains. Senior midfielders Max Cotton and John Pereira and senior defender Jamie Santo provide the Eagles with quality depth.
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St. John’s opened the season today/Thursday with a non-league match against perennial North Shore power Masconomet and begins league play next Wednesday at Xaverian.
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CROSS-COUNTRY shared the Catholic Conference crown last fall but must replace the top five runners from the squad that also ran fourth in the Division 1 Meet. Coach John Boyle is encouraged by the fact that “several returning runners did a lot of good work over the summer.”
Seniors Tim Contois of Danvers and Jake Smith are the Eagles’ top returnees and team captains. Senior Kelsey Flagg, juniors Tom O’Shea, Brendan Massey and Nick Fecteau, and sophomore Colin Monohan are among those competing to crack the top five on a regular basis.
The Eagles open the season Sept. 20 at Malden Catholic. B.C. High looms as the team to beat in the Conference.
