One win and one tie. That’s all Monsignor Farrell could muster in CHSAA Class AA boys soccer league play last season, the first in the new format.
“Anything better than that is a big improvement,” Lions coach Mike Leyden said with a laugh.
And an improvement is what Leyden expects in 2011. Farrell is going to be a smaller, less physical team. But it’s going to be more skilled. The big brutes who tried to bully teams last year are replaced by average-sized players with travel experience.
“They move the ball a lot better,” Leyden said. “They pass better. They’re smarter. They know the game better.”
Junior forward Frank Palazzo, who led the Lions in goals last year, returns and he’ll be expected to fill the same role. He’s also Farrell’s set piece ace. Junior James Ramhold, a fine athlete who also plays basketball, will also be a threat to score out of the midfield. The team will get a boost by the return of senior midfielder Justin Ottrando, who broke his ankle in the second game of 2010 and didn’t return.
“We missed him for almost the whole season,” Leyden said. “He looks really good now.”
With those three holding down the offense, Leyden will move senior Paul Galletta from midfield to sweeper. Helping him out on the backline is 6-foot-3 senior Luke Hillers, who Leyden says has improved after an offseason of club ball. Joe Fischetti will return in goal.
There are enough pieces in place for the Lions to be confident they will have a bounce back season. They did win five games in the SIHSL last year and despite blowout losses to Xavier and St. Francis Prep, Farrell lost to Iona Prep, Fordham Prep and Archbishop Molloy by a combined four goals.
“I think playing on the higher level has made us better,” Leyden said. “That’s the good news.”
That and there are 11 juniors on the roster. The next two seasons will be big ones for the Lions.
“The goal,” Leyden said, “is to do a lot better than last year.”