Story
King's Academy seeks repeat performance in boys soccer after breakthrough last season
Monday, November 05, 2012
by
Jeff Greer
Before last winter, playoff soccer wasn't exactly kind to King's Academy. Five appearances, no wins.
A surprise run to the regional finals changed the tune for boys soccer at the West Palm Beach program, and after losing only two players to graduation, King's faces the daunting challenge of matching the preseason hype.
"High expectations for a team ... that made history last year," King's coach Jerry Berrantes said.
King's also captured its first district title and won an exciting penalty shootout in the regional semifinals over Clewiston. Austin Masi scored 22 goals, and midfielders Bobby Pappas (eight goals, 10 assists) and Lucas DaSilva (10 goals, 12 assists) carried the Lions' possessions and created all kinds of scoring chances.
They're all back this winter, as are defenders Travis Gonzalez, John Mattessich, Luke Mayer and Paul Schumacher and goalkeeper Nick Bates.
But taking the next step won't be easy for King's. Benjamin returns all 11 starters, and if King's tops its regional finals appearance from last year, a potential date with American Heritage looms.
Heritage lost All-American and Florida Gatorade Player of the Year Brian James but still has six starters coming back. The Stallions are always talented, and this year is no exception, with holding midfielder Walker Dawkins and forward Austin Mills hoping to build off impressive 2011 campaigns.
Boca Raton reached the state semifinals last winter but lost to nationally ranked Cypress Bay. Boca's team lost plenty of talent, but Hunter Bandy (Wake Forest) and Nico Midttun (FIU) give the Bobcats one of the best midfields in the country. It only helps that Brian Kilgallon (College of Charleston) is back for another year as the Bobcats' netminder.
Park Vista finally appeared ready to take on Boca on the elite level, but a preseason knee injury to key defender Nick Tripodi leaves the Cobras in need of leadership. Goalkeeper Cory Hartstein returns to anchor what was one of the area's top defensive groups last winter.
Wellington is again expected to be competitive, while Royal Palm Beach brings back a strong core of defenders who could carry the Wildcats to a deep postseason run. And, of course, Jupiter has enough talent to put together another quality season, though it will have to do so with some newer faces.
Five Teams to Watch
American Heritage
Boca Raton
King's Academy
Park Vista
Royal Palm Beach
Five Players to Watch
Hunter Bandy, M, Boca Raton
Brian Kilgallon, GK, Boca Raton
Nico Midttun, M, Boca Raton
Austin Masi, F, King's Academy
Austin Mills, F, American Heritage
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User Comments:
area coach commented on November 5, 2012 at 8:53 p.m.: report abuse
Did any of the boys teams lose players this year due to the rule that US Soccer academy players are not allowed to play high school soccer?
We know AHD lost Sebastian Elney to the residency program. Anyone else?
bet not commented on November 5, 2012 at 9:21 p.m.: report abuse
i am sure Boca will not follow those rules
Proud Bobcat Parent commented on November 5, 2012 at 10:34 p.m.: report abuse
A few things, Boca is stacked, they didn't lose much talent at all (like the article states) unless you consider losing one starter and 3 bench players from a team that was Regional Champions (24-1-2) and eventually lost to the number one team in the nation (Cypress Bay) and finished the year ranked 3rd in the National in the Final ESPN RISE poll as losing talent. Boca did not lose any players to the US Academy issue. Boca just beat Jupiter 5-1 tonight and pulled all the starters at halftime (4-0). Talent for days, well coached, good kids and an incredible soccer atmosphere at Boca, they are taught to expect to win with hard worker and to set aside all the haters out there and put their team unity first.
please commented on November 6, 2012 at 5:33 a.m.: report abuse
How many of the Boca players actually live in the area?? How many are there via the choice programming AKA sports recruiting tool for the school??
da real Please commented on November 6, 2012 at 7:37 a.m.: report abuse
All students (including athletes) at Boca Raton are there if they live in the area or are there through Board approved reassignment. Moreover the ONLY way a non area student can attend is to apply through ROTC or STEM (a strickly academic magnet program) Boca soccer has no players in ROTC, therefore they are not only incredible on the field but where it matters most in the classroom. You are probably a dejected parent that could not get your son in through Boca's academic admission standards. Stop all the hate and give credit where it is deserved. Great school, great coach and great student athletes, now either way Boca will batlle in the classroom and on the field en route to 10plus straight district championships and hopefully with a 5th trip to States in the past 8 years under Coach Marcello Castillo and Principal Geoff McKee who has turned that school into the BEST public, yes PUBLIC school in the country. Don't hate, be happy for the Bobcats as they have and always will represent PB admirably.
Boca "HIGH" commented on November 6, 2012 at 9:53 a.m.: report abuse
Boca High is full of drugs and thugs...get over yourself!!
Look at all sports teams riddled with drug problems...yes I said it "serious drug problems"!! Everyone turns a blind eye to it. So SAD!!
Ridge commented on November 6, 2012 at 11:32 a.m.: report abuse
How come seminole ridge are not in this list??
They just play park vista and they play way better than them.
WELLINGTON commented on November 9, 2012 at 3:58 p.m.: report abuse
Ridge has a bunch a prima-donas that think they are much better than they actually are. They have one tall doofy looking kid that thinks hes a superstar and in time will be snapped in half!
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