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09/17/2017 12:00 AMThe Old Saybrook boys’ soccer team is fresh off a fantastic 2016 campaign that saw the Rams go undefeated in the regular season, win their first Shoreline Conference title in 52 years, and make it all the way to the Class S state final en route to an overall record of 19-1-2. This year, the Rams are welcoming back several integral players from that club as they try to run it back to the state final and then win it this time. Thus far, Old Saybrook is off to a strong start as the Rams own an early record of 3-0.
Last week, the Rams played a pair of contests and won both of them in shutout fashion. On Sept. 11, Old Saybrook hosted North Branford and triumphed decisively by the score of 5-0. Then on Sept. 14, the Rams went up against Portland in another home game and turned in equally dominant effort in a 6-0 victory.
Head Coach Sam Barnes is pleased with what he’s seeing from his team on the field, but he knows that Old Saybrook is working toward some bigger goals this fall. One of the biggest challenges for the Rams is focusing on the game right in front of them, while also getting ready for the stiffer competition of any potential postseason matchups.
“We’re preparing for the future and playing for today. We’re trying to take one game at a time,” said Coach Barnes. “For our out-of-conference games, I scheduled us against a couple of big schools to try to push the team. It will help us find out what we have and, hopefully, make us a better team.”
There’s no denying that Old Saybrook is already a very good team. In fact, the Rams have yet to allow a single goal through their first three games. Coach Barnes credits senior goalkeeper Jonah Nucci and a newer backfield led senior Kyle Savino for holding off the opposition early on, although he realizes that Old Saybrook will face some tougher tests in the near future.
“Jonah Nucci is a quality goalkeeper, but I don’t think that we’ve been truly tested at this point so far in the season. When you look at our shots for and shots against, we’re outplaying our opponents,” Barnes said. “It’s whole new defense this year. Kyle Savino, he’s a returning center mid, and he’s the one taking charge back there.”
As strong as the Rams’ defense and goalkeeping were last week, their offense was on display, as well. It took a little while for Old Saybrook to get going in the North Branford game, but by the second half, goals were coming fast and furious for the Rams. The first goal of the game was scored just inside the box by Austin Hilger at the 24:12 mark with fellow senior captain Justin Phillips getting the assist.
One of Old Saybrook’s strengths this year is its depth, and Coach Barnes used that to the Rams’ advantage against the Thunderbirds. By making substitutions to get fresh legs in the game, the Rams controlled the pitch and, just eight minutes into the second half, Phillips scored from Hilger to make it 2-0. A minute later at 49:20, Phillips struck again, this time assisted by 2016 All-Shoreline Honorable Mention Anthony Karg, for a 3-0 advantage. The game was well in hand at that point, but the Rams added unassisted goals by Hilger (62:14) and senior Xavier Rios (63:44) for the 5-0 final.
Coach Barnes thought his senior captains had noteworthy showings as Phillips and Hilger each provided two goals for Rams. Barnes believes that Phillips, who was All-State and All-Shoreline Conference First Team in 2016; and Hilger, who made the All-Conference Second Team, are ready to pick up where they left off from last season. After putting in a lot of time and energto improve throughout the summer months, they are ready to lead Old Saybrook to great heights, according to Coach Barnes.
“They’ve worked hard in the offseason,” said Barnes. “They’re driven to get back to the state final championship game, and they want to bring the whole team with them, so they push their teammates as hard as they can.”
In the Portland victory, the Rams’ defense was sharp, and their offense didn’t miss a beat. About minute into the game, Hilger netted a goal on a penalty kick for Old Saybrook, which kept the pressure on and scored three more goals before the end of the half. Anthony Karg scored from junior Paddy Ryan at 7:03, senior Sebastiano Gallitto grabbed an unassisted score at 14:06, and Ryan scored from sophomore Shon Ryan at 33:20 to make it 4-0.
Following intermission, the Rams came out strong with Gallitto netting another goal at 46:52 with Ryan getting the assist. Less than three minutes later, Ryan scored another on a Hilger helper.
Ryan had a strong night with two goals and two assists to his credit. Coach Barnes considers Ryan one of the stronger playmakers on the team and will count on him to keep the ball moving this season, especially in the midfield.
“He’s greatly improved in the last year. He’s on point to target players. He’s the workhorse up front, and he’s the one that’s creating a lot of opportunities for us,” Barnes said. “We try to control the midfield with our skill, and then we attack.”
Looking ahead to the rest of the season, Coach Barnes is working to get many of his athletes playing time, so they stay fresh. With more 50 players in the program and a slew of returning veterans who are hungry to get back to the state final, Barnes believes that his team has as good a shot as any to go all the way this year.
“The kids got a taste of it last year, and they want to get back to final in the Shoreline Conference, as well as the state final,” said Barnes. “This is one of the biggest team’s we’ve had. We have a lot of options between the freshman, JV, and varsity teams....It’s a growing program with over 50 kids. We have a deep bench with lots of options.”
From the Sidelines
The Old Saybrook boys’ soccer team’s varsity roster includes senior captains Justin Phillps and Austin Hilger; seniors Matthew Barnes, Will Brodeur, James DePalermo, Christian Fox, Sebastiano Gallitto, Robert Holt, Anthony Karg, Hayden Lockhart, Adam Nucci, Jonah Nucci, Xavier Rios, Kyle Savino, Galvin Stuart; and juniors Enes Cecunjanin, Carlos Chacon, Timothy Reid, and Paddy Ryan.
The Rams were the Shoreline Conference Tournament champions in 2016 after defeating Haddam-Killingworth 4-1 in the semifinals and winning 2-1 versus Morgan in the championship game. In the Class S State Tournament, the Rams had a first-round bye, beat Haddam-Killingworth 3-0 in the second round, defeated Somers 2-0 in the quarterfinals, bested Notre Dame-Fairfield 3-2 in the semifinals, and then took a 2-0 loss to Coventry in the final.
Sam Barnes is in his 22nd season as the Rams’ boys’ soccer head coach. His coaching staff includes assistant coach Chip Segar, who’s in his fifth year alongside Barnes; as well as freshman coach Matt Smith, who is in his second season.