Mamaroneck boys soccer coach Rich Becker said that the Tigers league, which includes Scarsdale, New Rochelle and White Plains, is "the toughest league in Section 1 — by far."
And he wouldn't want it any other way.
"Absolutely, there's not a better league to be in," Becker said. "If you want to be the best you have to play the best. I think the sectional champion is going to be in our league. Scarsdale is going to be an amazing team, White Plains returns an enormous amount, New Rochelle is always strong. We get beaten up in our league and that prepares us pretty well for sectionals."
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The Tigers return 12 players from a team that defeated No. 3 North Rockland in the first round of sectionals last season and then lost to John Jay-East Fishkill in the second round. They will return either six or seven starters, depending on whether Jimmy Calderone is cleared medically after an off-season injury.
The veterans include senior midfielder Hrvoje Glavan, an impact player who controls the ball in the air and on the ground.
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"He's one of the best players to come though here in my opinion," Becker said. "He's a true two-footed player and that's so hard to come by."
The leader of the back four is senior Jeremy Gittelman, a centerback who is a strong defender that keeps everyone organized.
Glavan and Gittelman are tri-captains along with goalkeeper Maro Mungia, a strong distributor of the ball who split time last year but will be the starter this season.
The midfield features senior Gustavo Trinidad and possibly Calderone, while newcomer Shaquille Jackson-Lee, a junior transfer, is a great finisher at forward.
While the loss of a player like Calderone would have really hurt in seasons past, Becker thinks that this team has enough depth to withstand it.
"We're comfortable starting up to 14 players," Becker said. "These kids have also grown up playing together and you can see how comfortable they are."
While expectations are higher, Becker said that defense will determine how far this team advances.
"The way we defend together as a team is going to be the deciding factor," Becker said. "We have the talent to keep possession and hopefully score goals."
The non-league highlight includes a return visit from revenge-minded North Rockland during Homecoming on what is supposed to be the debut of the team's new turf field. For now the Tigers will play their games on the turf field at Flint Park.
