Every year teams are left with the challenge of dealing with the loss of crucial players. Never was this more apparent than in the case of this year’s Hunter Varsity Soccer team. With eight of eleven starters having graduated the previous year, the team was left with many important positions empty. The defense was particularly hard-hit, through the loss of sweeper Noah Kaminsky and defensive midfielder Elliot Frost. Many doubted that the team would make the play-offs. The start of the season was less than promising. The team, led by new coach Jon Leizman, put in a number of impressive performances, but was also guilty of committing a number of mistakes, both on defense and offense. The void left by the departure of goalie Arthur Warner-Kamsler proved even more troubling as the season wore on, and the team struggled as a result, and was unable to break .500 for the first seven games of the season. However, not too far into the season everything seemed to come together. Due to an effective rotation of players, Leizman was finally able to field his strongest squad. Freshman Drew Adler stepped up to the challenge and earned himself a starting spot as goalkeeper, where he proved himself on numerous occasions. The move allowed previous goalkeepers Julian Ricardo and Zach Piaker to move into the defense, where they produced a number of solid performances. Captains Connor Almon and Elliot Thompson began to link up in the midfield more effectively. The team’s offense also became stronger, with Juniors Shun Zenda and Jan Zielonka combining for 9 goals on the season. Almon was particularly impressive, scoring 12 goals (out of the team’s total of 30) and assisting 6 times, leading the team in both categories. The effects soon became apparent, as the team finished off their regular season on a much stronger note, going 3-1-1 in their last five games. The team finished with a record of 5-4-3, but suffered an upsetting first round play-off exit, due to the inexperience of the team, unable to cope with the well structured offense of Bard Early College High School.
After a season of ups and downs, the team hopes to learn from their mistakes in preparation for next season. Players such as sophomores Tyler Manning and Adam Eckstein will play important roles next year, as the team will look to deal with the inexperience that prevented them from finishing off opponents. Varsity Soccer will be hit hard by the exit of captains Almon and Thompson, but will look to Juniors Emmett Kim, Shun Zenda, and Jan Zielonka for goals and more importantly leadership.
