English returns with its top guns

The Lynn English boys soccer team became a major player in the Northeastern Conference a year ago and coach Kerry King hopes his 2011 version of the Bulldogs can stay among the aristocracy this season.The Bulldogs went right to the end of the regular season in a battle with Revere and Classical for the NEC South title and then put up a gallant fight in a 1-0 loss to eventual Division 1 North champion Newton North in the tourney’s opening round to finish with a 10-4-3 mark.English returns seven starters from last year’s team, giving King plenty of reason to believe his club will be right there in the mix again this fall.”We have a really good core nucleus back with three all-stars,” King said. “I think we will be very competitive this year. We have a lot of skill in our program and have a shot to be very successful.”The all-stars King talked about give the Bulldogs as good a front line and midfield as any in the league, led by reigning NEC South MVP Jefferson Fobellah.Fobellah will split time at striker and center midfielder. He will be joined up front by another deadly scorer in Leo Awokang while A.J. Xhemalji returns to the midfield to give English its triumvirate of talent.”They are the foundation of my team and I really think they can stack up against anybody in the league,” King said. “They are three very skilled players who are very committed and have worked really hard in the offseason.”Also back as starters are midfielders Vladrim Xhemalji and Kerlay Der along with defenders Bryan Henriquez and Mohammed Al-Kabady. Der also could see time in goal along with Brandon Zayas.”We can compete with anyone at midfield and forward,” King said. “The only concern is on defense. We have kids that are playing well, but if you have a strong midfield that can win a lot of balls, it won’t put a lot of pressure on the defense.”King had 25 players show up when practice began on Thursday and expects the number to climb near 40 by the time English takes on St. Mary’s to begin its season on Sept. 9.”We have great kids who work very hard and love the game,” King said. “As long as we evolve and stay healthy, we have a chance to be really successful.”