Classical boys soccer team looks to build on succes

LYNN – Coming off a second place finish in the Northeastern Conference’s large division and a tournament berth, the Lynn Classical boys soccer team is hoping the build off its momentum from last season.The Rams finished the 2008 campaign with an 11-5-3 mark and earned the 9th seed in the tourney, though they fell to Brookline, 3-0, in the first round. Classical lost nine of 11 starters and 13 of the 20 players on the varsity squad, but coach Joe Skahan is optimistic about his team’s chances this fall.”We had 38-40 kids show up to the first day of practice (Thursday), which is a great number,” Skahan said. “Some of the kids are still working, so to have that many players turn out during the first week of double sessions is encouraging.”The most significant returnee is senior tri-captain Miguel Castro, who was the conference Player of the Year with 26 goals and nine assists. At either striker or midfielder, Castro figures to provide the Rams with plenty of offense again this season.Christian Lopez is another captain who will play the all-important center midfield position, and the third captain is Greg Rybak, who will lead the Rams’ defense this season.Ron DeLeon is another defender who will be counted upon. The Rams lost talented defender Danny Henriquez and goalkeeper Jeremy Dorson to graduation, and will need to find players to fill those roles. Classical does have some players from last year’s junior varsity who could step up.In addition to Castro, Classical has plenty of depth and strength up front with strikers Kevin Kakou and Abdoulaye Bah. Another intriguing player is Castro’s younger brother, Salvatore, a freshman who has been impressive during the first few days of practice.”He’s a very talented newcomer,” Skahan said.Skahan has been encouraged by the quality of the underclassmen, particularly the freshmen.”We have a lot of younger brothers of players who have been with the program,” he said. “There are some really, really promising freshmen we’re looking forward to adding to the roster this season.”Skahan hasn’t set any goals for the team, but another tournament berth is certainly within the Rams’ grasp. In the conference, Peabody is likely still the team to beat, and in the small school division Swampscott, which Classical only plays once during the regular season, should also be a formidable foe.”Peabody is always right up there, and teams like Danvers and Gloucester are always good,” Skahan said. “Our goal is to play as well as we can in each game and beat as many teams as we can.”Prospective players can still try out for the team. Practices will be held between 10-noon and 2-4 p.m. Monday through Friday next week at Hood Park, though each player must pass a physical before he takes the field.Skahan is still working out a pre-season scrimmage schedule, and he expects the Rams will participate in a couple of tune-ups before they open the season with the city tournament on Tuesday, Sept. 8, against Lynn Tech, at Manning Field.