Boys Soccer Team Hoping To Carry Last Season’s Success Into New Year

The Whaler boys soccer team finished last season with an 11-4-3 regular season record and earned the #17 seed in the Div. 4 state tournament – ultimately falling to #16 Whitinsville Christian 3-2 in the Round of 32.

While an early exit in the state tournament may indicate a team is far away from contending with the state’s best on its face, the Whalers saw a Monomoy Sharks team – ranked #9 in the state tournament - march all the way to the state final, which they lost 1-0. Nantucket played Monomoy twice last season – tying them 3-3 at home after a last second goal by the Sharks and then beating them 2-1 on the road.

It showed Nantucket head coach Rich Brannigan II and his players they could be closer than the results may indicate to a deep tournament run despite losing some key players from last year’s team such as seniors Rodane Watson (captain), Kinnick King, and Edin Vasquez.

“This group is hardworking and I'm really happy with the numbers," Brannigan said. "They're attentive. They're finding ways to improve even in a short duration of time. They're asking for feedback. Those are all positives, but you know, it's a definitely a different feel and a different mix than last year. Different leadership than last year and we ended up having a great group of leaders last year - a senior group that was really instrumental. They made my job so much easier. So we lost that.

"But between what we're getting back and guys that are showing the right steps, the progression, the willingness to step up and help the group, I think that's a huge bonus. They have good footsteps to follow, you know, after how they saw last year going so well.”

There are currently 13 seniors who are trying out for the team, which includes some key contributors from last year’s squad such as leading scorers Elvis Alonzo, Jake Johnson, and Jose Diaz.

"That's a great core but you know, there's some surprises out there,” Brannigan said. “Boys who are finding their way to be influential. I got a huge group of seniors right now and some of them are first year players, but they are really eager for their chance and opportunity. So I'm happy with that. I haven't broken down teams yet but looking at the group, we definitely have a healthy varsity and healthy JV team.”

Other core players such as senior Ryan Coleman, who has the ability to play any area on the field and earned high praise from Brannigan in the past, as well as sophomore Calvin Guevara, who emerged as a key scoring threat for Nantucket last year, will also lead the way forward as members of the existing core.

The defense will be an area of focus for Brannigan as he continues to coach up this group and prepare them for the season, but he said the return of junior goalie Alex Ivilov – who emerged as the team’s starting keeper last season – gives him hope the defense will be just fine come tournament time.

"I don't want to say that our weakness is going to be our defense, but we lost some key parts to our defense, and we didn't really lose any attacking pieces," Brannigan said. "But we are returning Alex in goal, so that is a huge part of the equation. He's stepping up as one of those unsung hero, leader types without being asked. So that's great. His influence on the team and in building this new defense will be important.”

Nantucket’s first game is currently scheduled for Thursday, September 5 on the road against Rising Tide at 4 p.m. You can view the boys soccer schedule here.