St. Mary’s boys soccer coach feels optimistic

St. Mary’s boys soccer coach Al Jackson expected last season to be a rebuilding year, but things went considerably better than he expected with the team finishing 13-5.The Spartans finished second in the Catholic Central League and just missed the title by a point. This year, Jackson is confident he has a solid starting 11, but the bench is the big question mark.”We should be OK. The question is depth and injuries. Right now we don’t have much depth. I’m looking to develop that 12th, 13th and 14th player,” Jackson said.The Spartans will have some big shoes to fill with the graduation of All-State keeper Andrew LaMacchia, who is now playing a Regis College, and stopper Chris Kefalas, now at Stonehill College.Despite the losses, Jackson likes the way his defense is shaping up. Senior Joe Gill will be at sweeper; senior John Moore at fullback, and senior Mike Magsouey will be on defense. Gill and Magsouey are the captains, along with starting striker Eric Donnaghy. Sean Borders will also be up front while junior and three-year starter Alex Glover is at center midfielder.”He basically is going to control the transition game,” Jackson said about Glover. “He’s a solid two-way player. He gives us the glue in the middle. Every good team needs a good midfield.”Alex Glover, center midfield, basically going to control transition game, solid two way player, gives us the glue in the middle ? every good team needs good midield, junior, three year starter.Jackson is also looking for contributions from sophomore midfielders Jeremy Transfaglia and Julien Yurowski, as well as junior Rob Guguen, who will likely see time in the midfield along with Peter Louvaris. Nico Desalvo, a sophomore, is pegged as the starting goalie at this point.