HOLDEN — Season openers in high school sports, particularly in home matchups, can be eclectic in nature for coaches and players, with emotions ranging from nerves to excitement and anywhere in between.
For this year’s Wachusett Reginal High boys’ varsity soccer team, it was all of the above when the Mountaineers squared off against visiting Marlboro High at Hal Lane Field on Sept. 15. While the results were not as hoped (Panthers were victorious, 4-2), it was a promising start with a revised-look team with a new head coach and a new style of play to which the players have adapted with spirit and exhilaration.
“I’m trying to teach the kids a new system and play quality, fun and exciting football,” said head coach Rick Porter, who brings a vast amount of soccer teaching experience to the pitch, including club, high school and collegiate. “This is our chance for this team to really make their mark and create their style of play that Wachusett can play for years to come.
“These kids learn easily. They ask questions. They’re very inquisitive. They want to know why they’re doing everything on the pitch, and I think that’s helped them adapt to it. It can only get better from here. Every week they’re going to get a little bit better, and they’re going to work to protect that system. I think they’re going to be a tough team.”
Forward Jake Kristolaitis, a team co-captain, netted both goals for Wachusett in the Marlboro matchup. They came after an initial 3-goal burst from Marlboro in the first half, but the green and white trimmed the deficit to 3-2, with Kristolaitis explaining his goals postgame.
“The first goal was on a series of give-and-goes,” he said. “Our right wing just took it and fed it to me, and I just finished it on the back post. The second one was just a kick ball from our center back, and I just had to send it over the head of their keeper. “
“We did a great job coming back,” Porter said. “This was the first time that the boys have been asked to play a new playing style that they’ve never played before. A lot of high school teams don’t play this. We’re playing possession football. We’re looking to put the ball on the ground and play with quality and skill. It takes time to learn and perfect that system, but these boys are smart kids and talented players. They picked up on it really quick. I thought that they played incredibly well.
“The fact that we got down goals earlier on, I think that had a lot to do with nerves. As soon as they worked out those nerves, they settled down. I thought they played some really good football.”
“When we come out with intensity, we know that we can face anybody in the state,” said 6-foot-3 co-captain and midfielder Miles Paredes, whose height can be imposing to opponents. “With this group of guys, we have a whole lot of cohesion, and when we play together with intensity, we’re going to win games.
“The adjustment’s been tough, but we’ve put in some hard work and have adjusted to the new play style really well. Aside from the new coach, a lot of us have been playing since we were little, so this year could be a great year for us.”
“With the new coaching stye and us working very hard as a team during the preseason, we’ve been able to get it, even though tonight we didn’t get the result we wanted,” said co-captain and midfielder Charlie Gorske. “I think it represents our hard work. When we play our own game and our own rhythm, we’re able to dominate and come back. That was important to show our team chemistry. With the new coaching style, I feel that things are more optimistic this year. People are playing a lot less nervous, which allows us to play as a team more.”
“It was difficult to go down 3-0, but it really shows our character when we can at least get close to them at 3-2,” added fellow captain and defender Thomas Fenlon. “With a new playing style, you have to get around some difficult situations that we may be facing, but we’re really getting on top of it for the new season. It’s important to get those wins early in the season when we know we’re building towards a better team, and we know that we can win those games easily later in the season.”
Members of the 2023 Wachusett Regional High boys varsity soccer team are Jonathan Santimore, Matthew Moreno, Alexander Baez, Alex Bates, Thomas Fenlon, Benjamin Lefferts, Logan Small, Harrison Crockett, Parker White, Matthew Bruce, Miles Paredes, Charlie Gorske, Ayden Daly, Tanner Glasier, Danian Sporna, Callum Hoey, Duke Ofori-Atta, Ethan Mansoor, Matthew Caliri, Dakota Hogan, Remy St, Germain, John Geloso, Jake Kristolaitis, Maciek Hanson and Liam McGurin. Captains are Thomas Fenlon, Miles Paredes, Charlie Gorske and Jake Kristolaitis. The team is head coached by Rick Porter, assisted by Tucker Mahoney.
