Pomperaug Boys Soccer Prepares For 2010 Season

In the sporting world Pomperaug High School is most often recognized for the phenomenal long-term success of the field hockey and football programs.  Veteran coach Joe Mancini and his stable of experienced players hope to change that this year.

The 2009 season was a mixed bag for the boys' soccer team. They only lost two games but only won eight with an astounding six games ending in a draw. Senior captain Eric Helfer attributes the overabundance of draws to the team's "inability to score.  Helfer and junior midfielder Josh Abromaitis say the team will not suffer from the same problems in the upcoming season.

Undefeated in all their preseason scrimmages, Abromaitis said he sees evidence that their hard work over the summer is starting to pay off.

"We've been moving the ball more quickly through our midfield," said Abromaitis.  "And we're connecting with our forwards better."

The team participated in an independent offseason conditioning program which has seen the general fitness level of the team rise significantly. Helfer is confident that their hard work won't go to waste.

"For a team to beat us they will have to outplay us because they will not outrun us," said Helfer.

High school sports teams are a revolving door; freshman coming in while seniors, typically the backbone of any team, depart. This loss of leadership, experience, and talent can leave a gaping hole in any team. However, Pomperaug appears to have several players on the roster able to step up and replace their predecessors.

Two players poised for big seasons are junior striker Scott Grant and senior goalkeeper Brian Schaake. Grant has been described as the "missing piece" for the Pomperaug offense and has been banging in goals for the Panthers in preseason. Schaake has several years of varsity experience and has a reputation as one of the top goalkeepers in the area.

The Panthers have their two biggest rivalry matches early in the season, at home to Newtown and away to Masuk. While some would consider this unfortunate, the team believes it could work in their favor.  Helfer described possible wins over Newtown and Masuk as the "momentum we need to get to the [South West Conference (SWC)] finals."

Both teams should prove to be strong opponents, and Newtown especially will serve as a good litmus test for the team. The team will need to do well, because they have high expectations. As a senior, every game for Helfer is one of his last and he's desperate to make one of those an SWC Final.

"We have never made it that far," said Helfer. "But it would be an amazing experience.

Despite the confidence of the team, Pomperaug are not considered favorites in the SWC. The Danbury News-Times labeled Newtown and Bunnell as two of the favorites for the title but as is often the case in sports, being the underdog could work to the Panthers' advantage. While the SWC Championship is the biggest goal, the team is also aiming to "make some noise" in the class LL State tournament as well.

Pomperaug has state of the art facilities, including a brand new section of stands for the home fans. However, the soccer team struggles to fill even a modest portion of the stands. As the saying goes, "success breeds success" and the team hopes that strong performances early in the season will help to fill the stands.

The Panthers open the 2010 season at home to Bethel. The game is on Tuesday, Sept 14 and starts at 7 p.m. Admission is five dollars for adults and three dollars for students.