System May Change but Not FHS' Soccer Goals

Great players come and great players go in the cyclical world of high school soccer, and losing a player like Kevin Michalak would tend to set some programs back.

But this is Farmington, where nine state championship plaques illuminate the school’s main hallway.

As esteemed coach Steve Waters says, he loses two or three sensational players every year. With last year’s Class LL final MVP and leading scorer playing on New Haven’s Ivy-draped stage, Waters simply adjusts his approach, melding parts together in what he hopes will be a cohesive enough arrangement to challenge for No. 10.

“We’re used to re-establishing ourselves every year,” said Waters, who has guided the Indians to six titles and 430 wins in 28 seasons. “You use the players you’ve got in front of you. You have to tweak the system.

“Right now, we’re hoping the system fits the personnel and/or the personnel fit the system, and those are two different things.”

To fill the scoring gap, Waters has Adrian Kukula. Kulula had six goals last year, including the first one in the ‘LL’ title tilt against Staples.

He’ll have plenty of help.

Peter Wilbik scored five goals before injury limited his time in the postseason. His absence afforded junior varsity player Dylan Papa playing time and he responded very well, scoring the lone goal in the second-round win over pesky Shelton.

“He’s a go-to-goal kind of striker,” Waters said.

Zach Zaback and Tyler Hoffman have earned the creative license to man the central midfield. John Paul DiTommaso and Kyle Baker will start on the wings, but Waters has ample depth if he requires a different look.

On defense, Julian Rose will be flanked by Dan Manfredi on the left, Justin Rappaport and Michael Lemnios on the right. Lemnios also emerged from the junior varsity when injury forced change.

“There’s a lot of value in his ability,” Waters said. “He’s going to start at right back but I would like to move him to midfield. He played midfield last year but had to go back in a defensive posture, depending on who we were playing.”

With E.O. Smith invading Tunxis Mead tonight, the Indians are going to need defensive support. E.O. is ranked 11th in the nation with high-powered seniors Mitchell Taintor and Luke Melody at the forefront.

Taintor is the grandson of UConn coaching legend, Joe Morrone, who will perform the honorary kickoff before the game.

“Taintor is this year’s Michalak,” Waters said.

When Taintor and Melody seek to finish, they will encounter one the state’s top goalkeepers in three-year starter Austin Peluso. Peluso comes into the season with 17 career shutouts.

The Indians, given the adjustments to life without Michalak, are not executing to Waters’ satisfaction. But the question is, are they ever at the outset of the season?

 “They’re not as sharp as I would like to see them, especially in the face of a good game,” he said. “But we’d rather start off with a strong team. It sets a barometer.”

FARMINGTON

Coach: Steve Waters (29th year, 430-68-33; 6 state titles)

Last Year: 16-2-3 (10-1-3 CCC West, 1st); defeated Staples 2-1 for ‘LL’ title

Key Losses: Kevin Michalak, Colin Troxell, Max Cohn, Connor Stovall, Mike DiTommaso, Jason Chisholm, James Silberstein, Adrian Lawrence, Stephen Manning, Mike Geissler

Players: Zach Zaback (sr. capt., CMF), Julian Rose (sr. capt., CD), Austin Peluso (sr. capt. GK), Tim Orrell (sr. MF), Peter Wilbik (sr. F), Tyler Hoffman (jr. CMF), Adrian Kukula (sr. F), Kyle Baker (sr. MF), Dan Manfredi (jr. D), Danny Marsh (sr. GK), Dylan Papa (sr. F), John Paul DiTommaso (sr. MF), Matt Charpentier (sr. D), Michael Lemnios (sr. D/MF), Joshua Moreno (jr. MF), Maciej Kolacz (sr. D), Justin Rappaport (jr. D), Brian LeBlanc (sr. MF), Guido Shutz (so. F/MF)

Of Note: Indians have won a championship in every class except ‘S’ – 5 in ‘M’, 2 in ‘L’, 2 in ‘LL’ … Michalak, the leading scorer and MVP in the title game, is playing at Yale … Waters has won 25 league titles in 28 years …