Aside from a losing a few graduated seniors, the biggest change at Collegiate this fall comes on the sideline.
Ray Voelkel, the school’s basketball coach who wins like others breathe, has stepped down as the soccer coach after two widely successful seasons, leading the Upper West Side school to its first two NYSAISAA titles and the Ivy Prep League crown last fall.
Voelkel, The Post’s All-City boys soccer coach of the Year last fall, was brought in on an interim basis, to mentor assistants John Feldmann and Colin Hutzler, who have taken over the program as co-coaches. The two feel ready now to step into his rather large shoes.
Only time will tell, but the players say there shouldn’t be much an adjustment period. Voelkel had Feldmann and Hutzler run practices and schemes while he made more in-game decisions. The two also picked up on how Voelkel handled the team.
“As far as coaching and managing the game, he was a perfect person to work and observe for a few years,” Hutzler said of Voelkel, who has led the boys baskeball team to five straight state Federation Class B titles. “It was perfect for John and I to step in under him. He was amazing about letting us run the soccer side and helping us learn the ropes of how a team works and how the school works. That was new for both of us.”
Hutzler played college soccer at Colby Mollege in Maine and teaches in Collegiate’s middle school while Fledmann played Division I soccer at William & Mary and teaches in the upper school.
Feldmann and Hutzler have plenty of talent to work with, starting with all-league caliber seniors like striker Weller Hlinomaz and center back Elias Bresnick. Hlinomaz, an All-City first team selection of The Post, will be used all over the field, even as a fullback when needed.
Senior midfielder Oliver Band is back and Quinn Herrera, keeper Will Spencer’s backup the last two years, will step in between the pipes. Hutzler expects versatile midfielder Spiro Jacobson, who will see time up front as well as on Collegiate’s back line, and center back Will Zerbold to emerge as well.
On paper, Collegiate would seem to be favored to three-peat as NYSAISAA champions. The Dutchmen do lose Voelkel, however, a coach who knew what buttons to press and when to press them. Collegiate feels in time Feldmann and Hutzler will be able to do the same.
“[Coach Voelkel] brings a winning mentally to any team he coaches, but both of our coaches have the same mentality,” Bresnick said.
Collegiate is a confident bunch, buoyed by its recent success and the returning core. Another title certainly run seems possible.
“I definitely think the talent is there and I know the leadership is in the seniors we have,” Bresnick said. “Whether it will take shape or not, I’m confident it will. In terms of talent, coaching and skills, we’re the team that’s most prepared to win the title.”