In the coming weeks, the Pelham varsity boys’ soccer team will prepare for a rigorous yet exciting fall season. As the intense summer sun beats down on the athletes during the pre-season heat, they have their eyes set on success in Section 1.

In a successful 2017 season, the varsity boys’ team finished with a 11-7-1 record, finishing in the elite 8 of the Section 1 tournament.

This year, led by captains Grey Allen, Michael Salama Stephan Akichy, and Simon Keough, all seniors, the team hopes to continue this success even further. Head coach Terence Huvane noted that these seniors have been remarkable during the pre-season and have presented “outstanding leadership.”

“Our goalkeeping has also been outstanding, led by Zach Leonard (senior), so I’m excited about our chances,” said Huvane on what will be essential to the team this year.

Though the team lost integral players such as Quin Crowley, last year’s leading scorer, and Lucas Rodrigues, last year’s playmaker, Huvane hopes that the veteran team and outstanding seniors can replace their offensive production and have an exceptional season.

On account of upcoming players, Huvane noted newcomers Jose Salvador (freshman) and Benjy Schneider and Joshua Goldman (sophomores) as being assets to the team in the coming season.

Huvane hopes to advance even further in the tournament than last year and go beyond the Elite 8.

“We have great respect for all of our opponents and understand that any team can beat anyone on a given day,” says Huvane. The team’s kick off game is August 31st at Edgemont High School at 11 A.M., where the team hopes to start off the season on a high note.