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10/02/2017 12:00 AMThe Morgan boys’ soccer squad is proving a team to be reckoned with thus far in the 2017 season. After making trips to states and advancing to the Shoreline Conference Tournament final in each of the past two years, the Huskies are looking to vie for the conference title once again this fall. Morgan’s record stands at 5-1-1 after the team beat Cromwell and tied Haddam-Killingworth in last week’s contests.
On Sept. 25, the Huskies had a home matchup against Cromwell and won 3-1. Senior captain Juan Avila scored the first goal of the game off an assist from senior James Saturno at the four-minute mark. Toward the end of the half, junior Matt Koziy put one in on a helper from senior Jhan Carlos Bermeo.
After intermission, Avila struck again with another goal at the 71-minute mark on a feed from junior Andrew Passante. Cromwell scored a goal just before the final whistle, but it was too little, too late, as the Huskies came away with the 3-1 victory.
Morgan Head Coach Ross DeMay felt pleased to see the Huskies defeat a tough Panthers’ squad, although he believes that his team still has room to improve.
“I thought that we did well shutting down [JJ Tracy] on Cromwell,” said Coach DeMay. “There were flashes where we played extremely well. As far as a complete game win, it wasn’t quite complete. We missed quite a few opportunities that we should have put away.”
As has been the case through his career, Avila showcased his scoring ability by putting two past the Cromwell keeper. Avila has 12 goals and six assists so far this season. When he was a freshman, Avila was All-Shoreline Conference Second Team and Morgan’s leading scorer with 12 goals. In his sophomore year, he was named a captain, was again the Huskies’ leading scorer with 30 goals, and was named All-Conference First Team, All State, and All-New England. Last year, Avila scored 12 goals and made All-State. Coach DeMay knows that he has a special player in Avila, and he’s trying to help him further his soccer career.
“Juan will probably be a Division I player, and he’s being recruited by four or five schools right now,” DeMay said. “He may play Division II at Southern, which is one of the best DII’s in the nation.”
On Sept. 27, the Huskies played at Haddam-Killingworth, and the game ended in a 1-1 draw. Following a scoreless first half, Haddam-Killingworth scored on a penalty kick to make it 1-0 five minutes into the second half. The game remained in the Cougars’ favor until the 73-minute mark, when Avila tied it by scoring on a free kick.
Coach DeMay was glad that Morgan salvaged the tie, but felt the Huskies took too long to press the attack. Senior captain goalkeeper Anes Gadun stood tall in the net to keep Morgan within a goal, and DeMay thought the performance was a typical display of Gadun’s toughness and skill.
“He’s one of the toughest kids that I’ve met. We haven’t lost any games that he’s played in this year,” said DeMay. “He came up big for us against H-K that held us in the game, and he made a bunch of saves that kids usually wouldn’t make.”
Gadun is in his second season as one of Morgan’s captains. He garnered All-Shoreline Second Team honors in his sophomore season and then followed that up by being named to the First Team in his junior year. Coach DeMay said his captains—Avila, Gadun, and Tyler Newfield—are providing plenty of leadership on the field this season, and he’s also been happy with how they’re keeping their teammates focused.
“Juan and Anes both really push the kids, and Tyler has done a lot better with that this year, “ said DeMay. “He’s being more of a vocal leader, and he’s really stepped up into a much bigger role this year.”
The Huskies will as need to maintain their focus as they try to make another run in the Shoreline Conference Tournament and then get over the hump this year.
“We made it to the final in the Shorelines the last two years, and we only lost one senior last year. We want to win the Shoreline, and we’ll see how we do in states. It’s a mental game more than anything and getting them up for every game,” said Demay. “They know what they need to do and, when it doesn’t happen, sometimes they get frustrated, rather than just putting it behind them. Some of the older kids know how to keep pushing...and not worry about it as much. Some put too much pressure on themselves.”
Overall, Coach DeMay knows he had a talented team that can contend based on its versatility and knowledge of the game. In addition to Gadun, Newfield, Avila, Bermeo, Koziy, Passante, and Saturno, the rest of Morgan’s squad includes seniors Trevor Follo, Aedan Mahoney, and Pat Markovics; juniors Calvin Jackson, Matt Koziy, Jack O’Sullivan, Ford Pender, and Carter Skidmore; and sophomores Josh Kennedy and Zachary Tuccitto.
“They can overlap, they can adjust through the play of the game. They have a lot more freedom in the course of the game. That’s what happens when you lose only three kids in three years,” Coach DeMay said. “The senior and junior classes are exceptional athletes and soccer players. Some of them just needed to grow into their bodies and play more. Some of the sophomores are the same now. The skill level is there, and the knowledge is fine. They’re just smaller and need to grow.”
From the Sidelines
The Huskies ‘wins this season have come against East Hampton (7-1), Old Lyme (5-0), North Branford (5-0), Portland (4-0), and Cromwell (3-1). The also tied with Haddam-Killingworth (1-1) and lost to Valley Regional (3-2).
Head Coach Ross DeMay’s coaching staff features returning assistant coach Antonyo Serrano and new assistant coach Marc Ferace.