Boys Soccer Cleans Slate Heading into New Season

Classes won’t begin at Manchester High School until Tuesday, but its boys varsity soccer team has been getting lessons in chemistry for weeks.

Looking to improve cohesiveness and dispel the negativity that infiltrated the team much of last fall, coach Brian Slota put team through intensive team and character building exercises as it prepares for the 2011 season. 

The Hawks open the 2011 season, Sept. 8 at home against Southern Regional at the Manchester Soccer Complex on Colonial Drive.

"We’d send the kids on a run through the woods and they would have to come back with something they didn’t know about their teammates," Slota said. “Last season there was conflict between some of the team members and in some cases the personalities just didn’t mesh. At times, it was a little ugly.’’

However, during preseason workouts in August, attitude has been one of the positives.

"The chemistry has been much better," said Dylan Ramistella, a senior midfielder.

"We understand we need to play as a team and continue to word harder," said Ali Yildirim, a junior striker.

The Hawks, who were 2-17 a year ago, will scrimmage at Brick Memorial Friday, 3:45 p.m. and then at Toms River South, 5 p.m., Sept. 6.

Manchester figures to improve simply because of lessons learned in 2010.

"We were young last year and we didn’t do a good job of communicating on the field," Ramistella said.

"We are a year older and have a year of experience," Slota said. "Last year, we started the season with only two starters back after have 10 starters back the year before that."

"We actually have great leadership on this team," Yildirim said.

The Hawks have the talent in their program. In 2009, Manchester was 10-9.

"We are the only team in our division (Shore Conference Class B South) which has improved 100 percent," Ramistella said.

With improved skills and better communication, Manchester has abandoned its kick-and-run game and will play a ball-control style.

"It’s more of a major league style," Ramistella said. “If there is nothing up front, we will play the ball back and regroup."

"There’s more of an emphasis on ball control," said Mike Lloyd, a senior sweeper.

The Hawks will be counting on the Yildirim Brothers to carry the offense. Ali Yildirim scored two goals last season and his older brother, Hakan, will start at center midfield. Harold Hester, a senior forward, will also be expected to put the ball in the net. He scored seven goals with two assists in 2010.

“We do have some skilled players," Slota said. “We are going to play more of a finesse, ball-control game."

The defense is led by Lloyd and senior Ryan Miese, who is a three-year starter.

"Defensively, we are going to be more aggressive," Lloyd said. "We are talking to each other more and doing a good job of filling the holes."

While Manchester figures to be improved, it will need to be at its best to contend with Lacey and perennial power Central Regional for the conference championship.

"Central is always a good team and Lacey has a bunch of seniors returning," Lloyd said.

"This is absolutely a different team with a different attitude," Slota said.

The Manchester boys varsity soccer schedule is available for viewing online.