RallyNorth.net

Haverhill Boys Soccer Preview

2006 record: 14-3-2, Lost in Division 1 North quarterfinals

Returning starters (7): Charlie Roche, Jr., defense; Alex Sindoni, Sr., midfield; Zach Greene, Jr., defense; Alex Hussein, Jr., midfield; Steve Lesiczka, Sr., forward; Ryan McLeod, Jr., midfield; Will Menter, Jr., midfield

Returning lettermen: Frederico Alves, Sr., defense; Matt DiPietro, Jr., midfield; Dan Faraci, Sr., forward; Mike Hurtado, Jr., forward; Peter Maranto, Sr., forward; Luke McCartney, Jr., goalie; Leo Worcester, Jr., defense; Graham Hart, Sr., goalie

Newcomers: Jared Lewis, Soph., midfield; Alex Jimenez, Frosh., midfield; Casey Joseph, Soph., midfield; Stallone Mujuru, Jr., forward; Wes Davis, Jr., defense

Candidates in all grades: 46

Captains: Alex Sindoni, Steve Lesiczka, Peter Maranto

Returning leaders: Steve Lesiczka; Alex Sindoni

Returning honorees: Charlie Roche Eagle-Tribune All-Star, Alex Sindoni All-MVC, Ryan McLeod MVC All-Star, Steve Lesiczka MVC All-Star

Assistants: Zachary Eldridge

Opener: Friday, Sept. 7 vs. North Andover

Odds and ends: Senior forward Yann DeOliveira, who scored a team-leading 13 goals last year, left school for personal reasons, but may be able to return at some point this season said coach John Coppola. ... Matt DiPietro is an acclaimed guitarist with the popular Haverhill-based band Hysteria. ... John Coppola was honored as MVC Coach of the Year. ... Last year was believed to be the first time Haverhill ever reached the North quarterfinals.

Coach John Coppola (5th year, 37-27-12): "I think we should have a pretty good year. As long as they stay away from injury. They'll have competition every night, and last year's 14-win mark is the new goal to beat, as is making the tournament. The seven returning starters are going to be heavily relied on. We have to find someone to play at goalie, and maybe a sweeper depending upon what I do with Charlie (Roche), who will play either sweeper or stopper."