ARCHBISHOP RYAN
After a remarkable run on the soccer field last year, Archbishop Ryan is back and ready for more. The Raiders made it as far as the championship game last season but fell to La Salle.
This year, however, they are preparing for a similar scenario, and hopefully a different outcome.
"We have a solid nucleus of players coming back this year," said coach George Todt, who is the all-time winningest high school soccer coach in Pennsylvania and ranks fifth in the nation for most coaching wins. "This is a highly competitive team."
Andrew Rogers, senior sweeper and team captain, will be leading the Raiders this season. He will be joined on defense by stopper Chris Clifton and marking backs Brenden Rooney, Tom Marshall and Tim Staal.
Dan Stevens and Bill George — both seniors and team captains — will lead Jason Hackett and Alex Mihalcea in the midfield. The offense includes strikers Henry Gonzalez and Connor Rodgers, both seniors.
Junior Fran Nelms will play goalie.
"We have excellent leadership in our seniors," said Todt. "We have quality strikers and solid goaltending. We have a lot of talent this season."
FATHER JUDGE
With 11 returning seniors and a solid offense, Father Judge is shaping up to be one of the stronger contenders in the Catholic League this year.
"We have a lot of chemistry on the team," said coach John Dunlop. "We have one of the top keepers around coming back. We also have one of the best players in the Catholic League."
Dunlop is referring to three-time first-team All-Catholic player Wayne Maninski, who will lead the Crusaders this season. The highly talented forward is 10 goals away from breaking the record for all-time career goals at Judge. He will be joined on offense by forward Jeff Wimsey.
Danny Palommela, also an All-Catholic player, will goal-tend this season. He’ll be aided by fullbacks Joe Smeck, Jim Mattock and Ryan Brocker.
The midfield will consist of seniors Kyle Mellon, Richie Romano, John Myers and Brian Devlin.
"This league is very tough. Everyone has a quality team and any team can knock you off," said Dunlop. "Our goal is to play quality soccer consistently and do well in the playoffs."
NORTH CATHOLIC
At the end of the Catholic League regular season last year, the Falcons found themselves in a three-way tie for the fourth and final playoff spot.
North Catholic first had to defeat Conwell-Egan, then eliminate Archbishop Wood. The Falcons won both games, clinching a spot in postseason play for the first time in three years.
In the first round of the playoffs, however, the Falcons season ended with a loss to the defending Catholic League champs and the Northern Division’s top seed, La Salle.
But the North Catholic squad is ready for postseason play once again . . . and this time, the Falcons hope to go even further.
"We have a talented team," said head coach Jerry Brindisi. "I think they have a great chance at the playoffs."
The Falcons will need a solid performance from sophomore goalie John McCarthy, whom Brindisi described as "very motivated."
McCarthy will be aided by defender Tom Petroski and outside backs Kenny Paz and Billy Dolan.
The midfield will consist of Tom Kalpokas and James Geayea, a junior who will also see some playing time as a forward.
There will also be a pair of forwards in seniors Carl Essenthier and Steven Lobley.
"The team works together very well," said Brindisi. "I want to see them play great soccer this year. They work hard and they have the skill."
CARDINAL DOUGHERTY
The Cardinals have the speed, experience and determination for a successful run on the soccer field this year.
With 12 seniors on this year’s roster, Cardinal Dougherty has been vigorously working on strength and conditioning.
"I see a lot of progress with the team," said coach Larry Teal. "They are bigger, stronger and more fit than last year."
Senior Ed Davis will lead the team as marking back. He’ll be joined on defense by Tom Dempsey.
The midfield will consist of Dave Boginsky, Mike Martin and Bill Gormley.
Forward Gerard Clark will join strikers JP Sanchez and Joe Bozzelli on offense. Joe Gallagher will play goalie.
"We have a ton of potential this year," said Teal. "Our physical play is much better and the team is focused." ••
Sports editor Melissa Yerkov can be reached at 215-354-3035 or myerkov@phillynews.com