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10/13/2019 12:00 AMThe North Branford boys’ soccer team has taken a step back in the win column in recent seasons, but 2010 graduate Dewey Boatman is hoping to change that as the T-Birds’ head coach. Boatman saw a lot of success as a player in North Branford. Right now, though, he’s focused on getting his program headed in the right direction.
“There were a lot of factors, and it was the perfect storm. It wasn’t one person or group of people that had any control. It was just a lot of things that added up,” Boatman said of the Thunderbirds’ recent struggles. “Personally, I don’t like to focus on the past, because I’m a live-in-the-moment type of person. I just want to focus on the future, rather than worry about the past.”
Boatman is going it alone without an assistant coach this season. That presents some challenges for Boatman, but it also provides him with an opportunity to personally connect with every player on his roster.
“We’re a tight-knit group and do everything together, because I can’t split up drills,” Boatman said. “Our team goals are the same, which is great, because it allows our upperclassmen to bond with the freshmen and sophomores. I think it’s a nice touch.”
Boatman feels excited about the influx of young players who are entering his program. Of the 20 athletes on North Branford’s roster, senior captain Eli Roessler is the only one who is set to graduate next year.
“The good news is we have more younger players that are invested in the team. We have freshmen this year, and there is a middle school program now, where in past years there hasn’t been,” said Boatman. “We’re definitely looking to build. We have possibly 19 returning players, plus a handful of 8th-graders, so we’re looking better than we were a couple of years ago.”
North Branford has a record of 0-9 after taking defeats against East Haven and Old Saybrook last week. Obviously, the T-Birds want to win, although Coach Boatman knows that coming to the field with the right attitude is the top priority for a program that’s trying to lay its foundation.
“For most of my players, this is their first year ever playing soccer. What I truly expect is effort, commitment, and teamwork,” he said. “Simple mistakes during a game or practice, I wouldn’t be harsh on. I want my guys to show effort and have a positive attitude, and I think our guys have done well in that regard.”
With player development such a critical factor, Coach Boatman said that he’s been pleased with the leadership of his two captains this year. North Branford is being led by senior captain Roessler and junior captain Andrew Sellitto. Boatman added that junior Anthony Longo is also showing solid leadership skills for the Thunderbirds.
“I’m hoping [Andrew] is able to show he’s one of the best players in the conference. He’s shown he can take on any need our team has. He’s a special type of player where he’s great at defense and offense. He’s the glue that brings our team together,” said Boatman. “Eli has been a great captain and very level-headed. Longo’s want to compete and get our first win is huge. He’s the guy that pushes everybody to want to do better.”
North Branford started off last week’s action by taking a 4-0 home loss to East Haven on Oct. 8. Three days later, the T-Birds dropped a 9-0 contest versus Old Saybrook at Colafati Field.
“I feel we could’ve grabbed a tie or win with East Haven, so we’re using it as a lesson for our future matches as motivation of how much effort we need to put in,” Boatman said. “Against Old Saybrook, our structure was better than in past games. The guys put in a total great effort, and we’ll improve from it.”
North Branford has six games remaining this season. Coach Boatman will continue to emphasize a complete team effort, and he believes that an upcoming stretch of four-straight road games will help his athletes grow closer together.
“With the games we’re playing, my main concern is effort,” said Boatman. “We’re motivated to do the right things and support our teammates. This could be positive to have that many bus trips this late in the season.”
• The North Branford boys’ soccer team’s roster consists of senior captain Eli Roessler; junior captain Andrew Sellitto; juniors Anthony Longo, Jonathan DaCunto, Vasilios Maroulis, Mikey Ricci, Sheldon Wessoleck, Aiden Cole, Jason Stanford, and Jeremy Bunnell; sophomores Daniel Fekieta, Francesco Spinelli, Nikolas Proestakis, Demetrios Teodosio, Jalen Rossicone, and Michael Virginelli; and freshmen Jason Collins, Alexander Esposito, Jonathan Olsen, and Noah Bredbury.
• Head Coach Dewey Boatman is in his second season with the Thunderbirds.
• For the rest of the year, North Branford has a game at Westbrook at 3:45 p.m. on Thursday, Oct. 17; is playing at Amistad at 3:30 p.m. on Friday, Oct. 18; will play at Cromwell at 6 p.m. on Monday, Oct. 21; is on the road to face Hale-Ray at 3:30 p.m. on Wednesday, Oct. 23; returns home to host Platt Tech at 3:45 p.m. on Monday, Oct. 28; and has a home game against Amistad at 6 p.m. on Wednesday, Oct. 30.