Solid group of returnees has English boys soccer optimistic

It was a season in 2014 that the Lynn English boys? soccer team would probably like to forget. But the Bulldogs look primed to have a bounce-back campaign in 2015.
Last year:English finished 0-16 but gave many of the Northeastern Conference?s top teams plenty of close calls, losing several one- and two-goal games.
Coach:Kerry King enters his 15thseason, and he?s hopeful that a blend of new faces and experience could lead to a much different result than last season as English tries to return to the playoffs for the first time since winning 10 games in 2010.Key players gone:Second team NEC All-Star Kinsley Agebun and talented forward Eddie Ayinla are the only players who saw extensive playing time that King has to replace.Key returning players this year:The Bulldogs return a plethora of starters, headed by a trio of senior captains in Kyle Arsenault, Josh Osawe and Luis DeJesus.
Arsenault enters his third year as the Bulldogs? starting goalie while Osawe is a three-year starter in the midfield and DeJesus is in his second season as a starter in the middle. Also back in the midfield is junior Abedan Gebreyesus and incoming freshman Wellington Gonzalez.
Juniors Jose Perez, Wilgens Volny and Qwell Kalamu help to anchor the defense in front of Arsenault. Sophomores Nuhi Xhemalji and Mohammed Diallo return to lead the forwards.
Strengths:The Bulldogs will be an aggressive team with plenty of quickness, King believes.
Question marks: Despite having several players with multiple years of varsity experience under their belts, King realizes that how quickly his younger players can blend in will go a long way to determining how the Bulldogs fare.Opening game:English kicks its season off on Tuesday against rival Lynn Classical in the semifinals of the Lynn City Tournament at Manning Field.
Big games on the schedule:Along with facing Classical twice more following the City Tournament, the Bulldogs also have to deal with NEC/North powers Peabody and Beverly twice.Coach?s outlook:?I?m optimistic but a lot is going to depend on how our younger players mature through the season. These guys took their lumps last year. Now, they?re hungry and ready to go.”