PEABODY — Bishop Fenwick boys soccer coach Tony Enos isn’t surprised by his team’s swift start to the season. Nor should he be.
With a solid combination of talent, experience and dedication, the Crusaders are rockin’ and rollin’ with a 5-1 mark through six games.
“Fenwick hasn’t won the CCL since 2003,” Enos, in his third season as Fenwick’s head coach, said. “One of the things we talk about is that every single game’s important. We need to stay focused every single game. We pride ourselves in preparing for each game individually.”
The Crusaders have outscored their opponents 16-3. Offensively, Fenwick implemented a new system during the preseason and, with players in the right places, it has paid dividends.
“We have some speed up top with Sean Kern and our outside mids are working very well,” Enos said. “We have Ryan Noci and Andrew Perry there. I think one of the most effective things we’ve had is playing a 4-5-1 with two attacking mids, Liam Chricton and Cormac Hinchey. They’re both great ball handlers. They seem to find channels. Frequently they find Perry wide and it ends up with a goal.”
Kern, a captain, leads the charge with seven goals.
“Some players have a nose for the goal,” Enos said. “Kern’s one of those players but also has the tenacity few players possess. He set a school record last year at 22 and may break his own record this year.”
Noci and Chricton have scored three goals each. Perry leads Fenwick in assists with three.
Defensively, the Crusaders feature a number of catalysts. Centerbacks Aidan Dwyer and Keiron Murray have come a long way in a short period of time.
“They’re doing a phenomenal job,” Enos said. “Every single week they learn more and more. They never fail to surprise me with what they do. They have a sense of when to step, when to communicate. They share the ball very well, they play it well back to the keeper. It’s rare that something makes it through the two of them.
“Sean Campbell’s a sophomore with tremendous speed,” Enos said. “He’s a very intelligent player, very smart. Chris Markos plays on the other side. They both have a lot of speed. They can get up into the attack, which also helps our attack. As 1v1 defenders, they’re excellent.”
Jameson Martinez, also a captain, has had a terrific start to the season.
“He’s phenomenal as a central defensive mid,” Enos said. “He really protects the centerbacks.”
In net, junior goalie Liam Foley has logged three shutouts this season.
“Liam has brought a lot,” Enos said. “Coming into the year we were concerned because we graduated Brian Harrington and our backup goalie left the school. Liam stepped up. He played club for a few years. He’s doing extremely well.”
The Crusaders are currently in the thick of their CCL schedule. A big 6-0 win over league rival St. Mary’s last week at Donaldson Stadium got Fenwick started on the right foot.
“Any game against St. Mary’s is a big deal,” Enos said. “We knew they graduated a strong class last year. We always get up for that game as I’m sure they do, being our crosstown rival in the CCL. That’s always our biggest game each year. That’s a huge deal for us, being able to come out with a win there.”
Now it’s on to the next opponent. The Crusaders travel to Arlington Catholic Friday (3:45).
“We’ve done a good job of watching film and keeping notes on our opponents,” Enos said. “That’s a big part of how we prepare. The boys understand that it’s one game at a time. They’re truly focused on what each opponent will bring to us.”
