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Boys Varsity Soccer: A Season In Review
The boys varsity soccer team finished their season with a respectable 6-7-1 record.
For the past few years, the boys varsity soccer team, under the coaching of Corey Gammill and Hunter Martin, has been stacked with players with pure athleticism, grit, and tenacity. Many of the players on the Storm are multi sport athletes. For the majority, soccer tends to be one of the players’ athletic focuses. This lack of specialization, “a good thing,” in the eyes of Gammill and Martin, has defined the culture surrounding the program.
Grit was supposed to be the name of the game this season, but, unlike in years past, grit was replaced by pure talent that evolved throughout the season. Gammill said, “I didn’t expect the skill to come out like it did. We started playing a very skilled game. It was so impressive. Every player on the team stepped up their level of play.” Martin added, “We were pleasantly surprised by the team’s technical improvement. They wound up playing a sophisticated game of soccer.” The team, which has always played in a strong soccer division, finished with a respectable 6-7-1 record, and ended the regular season on a high note with wins against Hamden Hall and Cheshire Academy, and a tie against Christian Heritage School.
With the rise in talent this year, the grit and tenacity was, perhaps, a bit less apparent than in previous years. “Early on in the season when we lost games, we lost big.” This is not to say that anyone on the team did not give it their all this season. “Each individual on the team loves the game and, more importantly, they care for each other as teammates,” Martin noted.
Both coaches had nothing but good things to say about the individual performances this season. Coach Gammill stated, "Jose Minuesa '17 became a centerpiece of our transition game. Jared Keuhner '16 led our attack, which we expected. Luke Martocchio '17, Charles Simmonds '16... Really, everyone did well this season." Martin had a similar assessment, and specifically praised Ryan Neafsey '18, who was new to the school this year. Martin said, "We had high hopes for Ryan this season. He stepped in as keeper, and he completely exceeded our expectations."
Both coaches had nothing but good things to say about the individual performances this season. Coach Gammill stated, "Jose Minuesa '17 became a centerpiece of our transition game. Jared Keuhner '16 led our attack, which we expected. Luke Martocchio '17, Charles Simmonds '16... Really, everyone did well this season." Martin had a similar assessment, and specifically praised Ryan Neafsey '18, who was new to the school this year. Martin said, "We had high hopes for Ryan this season. He stepped in as keeper, and he completely exceeded our expectations."
While the individual performances this season were noteworthy, the boys varsity soccer program has been, and will continue to be defined by teamwork. Martin said, “More than anything our season was less defined by the play of individuals and more defined by the play of the group as a whole. We had a consistent level of skill throughout which allowed us to be flexible.”
After losing a strong class of seniors, many outside observers assumed that the 2015 season would be a rebuilding season. But, as the coaches’ words and the record proved, the void left by the class of 2015 was quickly filled by players who were willing to step up and compete. The results were clear, said Martin: “We made the FAA tournament for the first time in my tenure as coach and it was not for lack of worthy opponents.” The grit that may have been lacking early on in the season, definitely came to fruition by the end. Martin added, “The players deserve so much credit. We dropped some games by a sizable margin and yet, we made the post-season.”
Ultimately, both the coaches and the players did not define the success of their season on their record. While the record is an important aspect to any sports team’s season, and the boys varsity soccer team was, in fact, quite good, the growth of character and teamwork took precedence over wins and losses. Coach Martin summed up the season simply: “When I look at how the guys developed as soccer players and as people it is hard to say that the 2015 season was not a success. I am not going to remember any of the challenging moments. With this season, I will remember the growth of the players.”
St. Luke’s School is a secular (non-religious), private school in New Canaan, CT for grades 5 through 12 serving over 40 towns in Connecticut and New York. Our exceptional academics and diverse co-educational community foster students’ intellectual and ethical development and prepare them for top colleges. St. Luke’s Leading with Humanity curriculum builds the commitment to serve and the confidence to lead.
