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09/09/2017 12:00 AMThe North Haven boys’ soccer team is entering its first year with new Head Coach Reid Chieffo, who wants the Indians to use a strong work ethic and aggressive attack to start turning things around following a couple of difficult seasons.
Chieffo, a lifelong town resident who was a captain for the Indians and at the University of Hartford, brings 20-plus years of experience with the North Haven Soccer Club to the high school, and so he’s familiar with the vast majority of his athletes. As the Indians come off a campaign that saw them post a record of 1-13-2, Chieffo said everyone is hungry for a reversal of fortunes this fall, and he knows that begins with incremental improvement on the practice field with each passing day.
“They know they need to be accountable, first and foremost, with how they approach the game and the work ethic they bring to practices and games. We’re day to day. Every practice, we’re looking to improve on the last practice and then approach the next game with that attitude,” said Chieffo, who takes over for Federico Fiondella following his 15-year tenure as head coach. “It may not always result in wins, but our play should get better, they should be more confident, and then winning takes care of itself in time...We’ve seen these kids be successful through the town level, and there’s no reason why they can’t turn around a 1-13-2 season this year. My attitude is that we have a workmanlike approach at every practice that prepares us for the next game.”
Chieffo said North Haven features several people who have considerable varsity experience, as well as plenty of versatile athletes who can play multiple positions on the pitch. The coach will be looking for the Indians to use both of those assets to their advantage, along with a new offensive formation in which everyone will have the opportunity to get in on the act.
“It’s going to be a very offensive formation that we are playing. It’s going to be open, where defenders will get into the attack. We’re not taking a defensive posture. We’re out to score goals, possess the ball, and get all the players involved—offense and defense,” Coach Chieffo said. “When the [defenders] know they can get into the attack and score goals, it energizes the whole team, and we need more of that. So we’re hoping that style improves our play...and results in a few more wins, gets our program a little more competitive, and we can surprise some teams this year.”
The Indians are being led by a pair of senior captains who will make their respective impacts on opposite ends of the field with Max Paolillo, a forward; and Riley Powell, who’s back for his second season as North Haven’s starting goalkeeper. Chieffo said that Paolillo and Powell complement each other well in terms of the specific characteristics they each bring to the leadership arena.
“They are great role models and leaders on the field and, certainly, off the field. They represent themselves and the school well and also the town’s soccer program, which they have been part of their whole lives, so they’re very good captains for the team,” said Chieffo. “They’re a little different. Riley is more of the vocal leader, and Matt is more of a silent leader who leads by example and is just great in practice. Riley is very vocal in goal, which is great, and Max is a workhorse, so they’re good all-around captains.”
Another key member of North Haven’s senior class is Ethan Pavano, who is primarily a central-midfielder, but can also play forward and defense, prompting Chieffo to call him the squad’s “most versatile player on the field.” Outside defender Chris Muralles, forward Brian Daley, and Duval Pacheco, a forward/midfielder, are the other seniors on the Indians’ varsity team.
North Haven boasts a large junior class of nine athletes, and several of them slated to start this season. One of those athletes is central midfielder Ben Blumenthal, who is currently injured, but is expected to be a pivotal member of the club. Central defender Justin Shea is in his third year starting for the Indians and will continue to bring his physical style of play to the back line. North Haven’s other juniors are central midfielder Angelo Fraschilla, central/outside defender Chris Damone, forward Mike Panferov, central defender Jacob Skonieczny, outside defender Quinn Dallai, midfielder Jobin Valiyaveetil, and goalie Matteo Franco.
“The junior class, most of them were starters last year, and they took their lumps, so overall, it’s an experienced group where some have had two tough years in a row, but they got experience, which you can’t replace, so we’re looking at a strong junior class and a strong senior class that has a lot of experience behind them,” Chieffo said. “They started young, so now we’re hoping that they will turn things around this season and be on the plus side with some wins and get the program headed in the right direction.”
Forward Jose Rodriguez is back for his sophomore year on the heels of a freshman season that saw him net a hat trick in his first high school game. Tillman McFadden and fellow midfielder Kasper Skonieczny are also sophomores for the Indians, who have three freshmen on their varsity roster in forward Luke Franco, midfielder Kasey Mongillo, and defender Tanner Powell.
Chieffo said that he believes in his athletes and wants them to believe in themselves as they dig in for the 2017 season. The first-year coach concluded by detailing what he wants to people around town to see as the North Haven boys’ soccer squad embarks on a new era.
“We hope that with our new style of play and a different approach, they will see passion and a joy of soccer and an open style with us attacking as a team,” Chieffo said. “We hope that carries over and the fans see a team that is gaining momentum, confidence, is excited to play every week and excited for training every week, and that results in this team developing, coming together, and improving upon last year.”
From the Sidelines
First-year North Haven boys’ soccer Head Coach Reid Chieffo’s coaching staff consists of varsity assistants John Parisella and Andy Holle, JV Head Coach Scot Little, and goalkeeper coach Jeff Knuth. Like Chieffo, Parisella and Little are program alums.
The Indians are once again competing in the SCC Hammonasset Division with Fairfield Prep, Shelton, West Haven, and Career-Hillhouse, and will face each of those teams twice this season, along with Wilbur Cross, Amity, and Foran.
North Haven also has home games against non-conference opponents Amistad and Valley Regional on the schedule this year.