Bellefonte boys' soccer preview

Vinny Pezzimenti

Head coach: Scott Martz (third year)

CDT photo/Walt Moody

Returning letterwinners for the Bellefonte boys’ soccer team are, from left, front row: Garret Barkley, JamesGarbrick, AlexAntion, TyHill.Backrow:Brandon Richards, Brett Boatman, Kyle Praskovich, Michael Jessop. Missing are Dalton Eicher, Landen Ward

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Assistant coaches: John Boatman, Blair Richards, John Vanbuskirk Last season:5-13

Key losses: Rich Gilligan, Ben Montgomery, Cody Neshteruk, Shea Wert

Returning letterwinners: Alex Antion (Sr.), Brett Boatman (Sr.), Dalton Eicher (Sr.), James Garbrick (Sr.), Mike Jessop (Sr.), Kyle Praskovich (Sr.), Landen Ward (Sr.)

Key newcomers: Tyler Ruble (Sr.), Garrett Barkley (Jr.), Drew Elder (Jr.), Brandon Richards (Jr.), Brandon Catherman (So.), Ethan Piper (So.), Mike Maggs (Fr.), Tyler Rhoads (Fr.)

The skinny:Team strength will be a defense that includes Antion, Eicher and Garbrick, who will all be third-year starters. ... Jessop and Ruble and battling to start in goal. ... Boatman has been moved from defense to midfield. Elder and Barkley will also fight for time at midfield. ... Martz expects forwards Richards and Ward, who have worked well together in practice, to score most the goals.

Coach says: “Right now, we’re throwing in a new formation. They’re learning some new things this year, but overall this is one of the best preseasons that we’ve had. Conditioning-wise, everybody came in in great shape and the older guys are helping the younger guys out. We have a couple freshmen who are going to get some varsity time this year. You call tell that they’ve played a lot of soccer. They have a lot of good experience there to help us out.”

“The biggest thing I’ve been stressing to the guys in practice is that we’re going to play with a little bit of attitude. Normally, we’d get pushed around and knocked off the ball. This year the guys are coming in and they’re playing with attitude. They’re pushing each other in practice and making each other better. Overall, I think we’re going to have a pretty good season.”