Cougars Boys Soccer Team Looks to Contend

Don’t tell boys soccer team they can’t keep up with the big boys.

After losing 12 seniors to graduation, things are tough for the Cougars already.

Even with the senior leadership last season, Springfield finished 4-14 overall and realized that having a mature team means nothing. The team is looking to prove to its critics that they can put a young, athletic team on the field this season and have a chance to win.

“Last year was more of a disappointment,” said head coach Jason Piombino, “We did have varsity experience and a huge senior group and I thought they underachieved. With this group, we really don’t feel any pressure or definitive goals. They are only going to look at it one game at a time. Our goal is to just simply leave the practice field or the game better than when we came.”

What Piombino is trying to say, is by the end of the season, his team will be much improved. Who knows, that may consist of a playoff birth.

“The boys are working hard,” said Piombino. “A lot of guys are going to see time. There is not going to be one guy that stands out. We are going to focus on defense and set pieces.”

Senior midfielder Zac Furia will be key on a Springfield offense that was shut out seven times last season. Joining Furia on the front line will be junior midfielder Nick Scarpato, who saw plenty of varsity minutes last season.

“We have a very skilled team,” said Furia. “We just need to get everything under control and show up for the big games.”

The first test for the Cougars will be Sept. 1 against Coatesville.

“The very first games we play are in the Coatesville tournament,” said Piombino. “We look at that tournament as a springboard. If we can get a couple wins there before we head into league play, it can be a big springboard for these guys to get some confidence."

With a young Cougar team looking to build a name for themselves in the Central League, confidence will be important during the tough stretch of league games on the schedule.

“The Central League is the strongest league around,” said Piombino. “From top to bottom it's a pretty strong league. We hope that our defense will keep us in games. The thing that is troubling the most is trying to gear up week-to-week playing a team on paper that is going to be better than you.”

The defense is highly capable of keeping Springfield in games. Last season, all four of the Cougars’ wins came in shut out performances. If Springfield wants a shot at keeping up with the heavy weights of the Central League, defense will be highly important.

“We have a solid defense,” said Furia. “Kyle Chevalier and Nick Fosco are capable of making big stops on defense.”

The Cougars aren’t only looking to stop goals during contests, but they are also looking to end any talk that they aren’t capable of being contenders.

Springfield Cougars Facts

Coach: Jason Piombino (fifth season)

Last year: 4-14 overall (2-9 Central League)

Key Players: Junior defender Nick Fosco, Junior Midfield Nick Scarpato, Senior midfield Zac Furia

Games to watch: At Conestoga Sept. 20, Penncrest Sept. 22, at Marple Newtown, Sept. 27 Garnett Valley Oct. 3, Lower Merion Oct. 18

Springfield Schedule:

Sept. 2     at Coatesville 12 p.m.

Sept. 8     at Haverford High 3:45 p.m.

Sept. 10   Pottsgrove 11 a.m.

Sept.13    Harriton 3:45 p.m.

Sept.15    at Strath Haven 3:45 p.m.

Sept. 17   Pope John Paul II 3:45 p.m.

Sept. 20   at Conestoga 345 p.m.

Sept. 22   Penncrest 3:45 p.m.

Sept. 27   at Marple Newtown 3:45 p.m.

Oct. 1      Great Valley 10 a.m

Oct. 3      at Garnet Valley 7:30 p.m.

Oct. 5      Upper Darby 3:45 p.m.

Oct. 7      at Octorara 7:00 p.m.

Oct. 11    Ridley 3:45 p.m.

Oct. 13    at Radnor 3:45 p.m.

Oct. 18    Lower Merion  3:45 p.m.

Oct. 20    Interboro 3:45 p.m.