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Salem Boys Soccer Preview

2006 record: 8-9, lost in Class L first round

Returning starters (3): Josh Richard, Jr., midfield; Aaron Mackey, Jr., midfield; Mike Abi-Aad, Soph., forward

Returning lettermen: Charlie Sprankling, Jr., midfield; Ethan Carr, Jr., goalie

Newcomers: Mark Baroni, Jr., defense; Nick Larochelle, Frosh., defense; Marcus Baldwin, Soph., defense; Jared Garfield, Jr., defense; Brandon Cole, Frosh., defense; Max Gordon, Frosh., midfield; Peter Ventola, Frosh., midfield; Brandon DiConstenzo, Soph., midfield; Brett Miller, Soph., forward; Tyler Rutledge, Soph., forward; Javier Cifuentes, Jr., forward; Nick Gallo, Soph., defense

Candidates in all grades: 55

Captains: TBA

Returning leaders: Mike Abi-Aad (3 goals), Aaron Mackey (3 goals)

Returning honorees: None

Assistants: Varsity Steve Goyette, JV Dennis Hajjar, Frosh. Justin Golden

Opener: Tuesday, Aug. 28 at Concord, 4 p.m.

Odds and ends: Mike Abi-Aad is a creative striker who has the potential score goals in bunches. ... Ethan Carr, one of the club's vocal leaders, will start in goal. ... Surprisingly, there is not a single senior on the team. Last year's club had three juniors but none returned. ... Jared Garfield, who placed 28th in the Class L meet last fall, has left cross country for soccer.

Coach Tony Karibian (7th year, 43-39-21): "We are very, very young, I think we are skilled but inexperienced. I think we'll take our licks early. (Mike Abi-Aad's) a feisty little kid. He's going to play hard for us. He creates. Mark Baroni is big and strong. He does nothing but win tackles. I'm banking on (Max Gordon and Peter Ventola) to just grow. This year's a building year, but they're going to impress people."