Marblehead Boys' Soccer Team Ready to Move Forward [VIDEO]

After a rough 2010 soccer season that produced only one win and some dissension as the losses mounted, Marblehead High School's boys' team is hoping to make the upcoming season one to remember.

“It was tough, the losing,” co-captain Danny Plunkett said. “We just tried, as a team, to get in the best possible shape we could for the 2011 season over the summer.”

Last season’s team finished 1-18-1, with a win over Beverly and a tie against Revere.

Plunkett and co-captain Mike Brenan will have to watch the start of the year from the bench, both are out with injuries. Plunkett has a growth plate fracture in his hip, (an emulsion fracture) and is out for 2-3 weeks. Brenan is having meniscus surgery on the first day of school.

The team is hoping that Brenan can have arthroscopic surgery and be ready to return in October - if the damage in his knee is too severe, the senior may miss the season.

“It’s hard without those guys for sure,” senior goalie Chris Pedersen said. “We need them back to help us win.”

Pedersen shares the captaincy duties with Plunkett and Brenan for coach Darren Benedick, who is confident his club can succeed with a year of his system under their belts.

“Winning one game last year and working so hard was so frustrating to end up with nothing to show for it,” Benedick said.

After only two practices because of last weekend's washout, Marblehead knocked off Ipswich 5-2 Tuesday in a scrimmage at Hopkins Field.

“I know it’s preseason, but it’s great to get a win anytime, and now the guys have tasted it and this means a great deal to start the season with a winning feeling,” Benedick said.

Senior Nate Berenson picked up two goals against Ipswich, and was elated about the positive start to the 2011 season.

“This win was huge for us, last season was such a bitter disappointment, really,” Berenson said. “We fell behind, but came right back, the second goal was huge for us.”

Joining coach Benedick on his staff this season are first year assistant coach Chris Pedro and goalie coach Mario Filardo. Benedick serves as youth director for summer camps at the Jewish Community Center in the offseason, and also works with Temple Emanu-El in Marblehead, and Congregation Shirat Hayam in Swampscott.

Benedick’s counterpart, Ipswich coach Jon Keefe, liked what he saw from Marblehead on Tuesday afternoon.

“They have some really good athletes on that team, they did a nice job creating turnovers, they made the most of their opportunities against us,” Keefe said. “They’re really strong up the middle, if they keep forcing the turnovers, they’ll do well this year.”

Marblehead opens up the 2011 season at home on Monday, Sept. 12 against the Lynn Classical Rams at 4 p.m.

This year’s soccer squad includes: Nate Berenson, Alex Blayer, Cole Guyre, Wheeler Law, Ian McIver, Chris Brady, Brett LeBlanc, Paul Elder, Luke Chandler, Rudy Mukania, Jordan Calixto, Josh Beloff, Ian Hyte, Peter Tully, Henry Poulin, Will Hughes, Koby Michaels, Mike Brenan, Chris Pederson, Danny Plunkett and Doug Levine.

“We weren’t really a team last year,” Pedersen said. “This year I think we are.”

2011 Schedule:

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