LYNN — The KIPP Academy boys soccer team is riding high heading into the postseason.
The Panthers were crowned Massachusetts Charter School Athletic Organization champions after cruising to a 9-2-1 record in the regular season.
“We’re proud of winning the division this year,” KIPP coach Jon Langlois said. “We snuck up on Salem Academy and Excel, which is great. It earned us the second seed in the tournament behind Foxborough. It also got us a first round bye which is huge. We’ve finally had a chance to start training again before our next game.”
Not only are the Panthers in a good spot seeding-wise, its roster is healthy and full of experienced starters on defense with brothers Jefferson and James Paz.
“We definitely have a strong defense,” Langlois said. “We’ve only allowed 19 goals this year. Our goalie Jefferson has been a staple back there in net. He’s fast, agile and picks up everything.
“It just so happens that his older brother James is our center back,” Langlois said. “Those two just work well together. Their communication is key. You really can’t over-emphasize it, having two brothers on the field, they have this automatic sense of where each of them are on the field.”
That defense is complemented by a strong midfield and up front the Panthers have plenty of weapons to score goals.
“Marco Escobar has 18 goals which is third in the MCSAO,” Langlois said. “He led the league for a week there, but missed some time so he finished third. Kenny De Leon has stepped up as a real leader going forward up front and Angel Hernandez (midfield) is a player you can put at any position. (Angel) can hit the net from anywhere so it’s a good weapon to have.”
Another offensive star, Gabriel Barrios, took some time to find his footing but has established a key role distributing the ball and now leads the team in assists heading into the postseason.
The Panthers may have a young roster, but their experience makes up for it. Last season the Panthers advanced all the way to the MCSAO semifinal before losing to Salem Academy.
“Considering we made semis last year we have almost all our starters back,” Langlois said. “We have four freshman returners who played as eighth graders last season. Our entire team is returning besides five players who didn’t see field time last year. It’s a good spot to be in, a lot of these guys have the experience.”
That experience, paired with the fact that KIPP handed Salem Academy its only two losses of the season has the Panthers hopeful for another postseason run.
“First off, going in you have to make sure you’re ready to go,” Langlois said. “We won’t see Salem unless it’s in the semis again. We’re the only team that has beaten them early in the year. But I think they’ve figured everything out since then so I’m sure they have a similar mindset.”
This week the Panthers have put a focus on continuing their possession game while staying disciplined and onsides on offense.
“We’re really good in possession based games,” Langlois said. “We like to play a tight game, passing around and sending through balls. Keeping possession is key.
“We have to watch offsides,” Langlois said. “It’s been a killer for us this year. Our last two games we have around 20 offsides calls. We’re working on it but I don’t think it will be a problem going forward.”
The No. 2 seed locks the Panthers in for two home games in the MCSAO tournament. KIPP will host the winner of Roxbury Prep and Collegiate Charter of Lowell Tuesday (5) at Manning Field.
