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caption, page 8:
Marc Ballart will serve as the Woodstock Academy prep soccer team’s captain this season. Photo by Marc Allard.
Prep soccer
returns for 2nd
Centaur year
Last year was an experiment. For a first time, Woodstock Academy fielded a boys’ prep soccer program.
It was a first not only for the school but also the new head coach. Joe Cherackal had been coaching soccer at Wesleyan University, working with, generally, American collegiate soccer athletes.
It’s a diverse group again this season. The primary language spoken on the field is Spanish as the majority of players are from Spain this season. There is also one from Mexico, two from Canada, a German goalie and a player from the Dominican Republic.
But, on the field, it can be difficult. Especially when it comes to building chemistry.
The Centaurs also have several players back for a second season including Marc Ballart who is the team’s sole captain right now. Also returning are Jordi Sanabra, Pol Saiz, Jesus de la Torre and Brian Manon.
The Centaurs started their schedule Sept. 8 with a 6-0 win over Pomfret School.
Rodrigo Minguela Martin, Saiz, Ballart, Danyil Uchytel, and Javier Menendez all scored and the Griffins helped a bit with an own goal. Martin dished out two assists and Menendez added one.
The Centaurs have 21 matches on the schedule currently and will likely play 23 prior to the Thanksgiving break.
But the big matches are not against a particular opponent or a specific result but rather how the team performs when the college coaches are in attendance.
Sept. 11 at Northfield-Mt. Hermon where the Centaurs played Milton School, 16 college coaches including two from the Atlantic Coast Conference, two from Patriot League schools and five more from smaller schools in New England were expected to be on hand.
Marc Allard
Director of Sports Information
The Woodstock Academy
Schedule: Thurs., Sept. 8: At Pomfret; Sun. Sept. 11: vs. Milton at NMH, 10:30 a.m.; Sat., Sept. 17: vs. Western Reserve at Westtown, Penn., 3 p.m.; Sun., Sept. 18: vs. Seton Hall Prep at Downington, Penn., 1:45; Wed., Sept. 21: at Northfield-Mt. Hermon , 3:30; Sat., Sept. 24: vs. RMPUS (Montreal) at Afrims, N.Y.,TBA; Sun., Sept. 25: vs. Western Reserve at Afrims, N.Y., TBA; Tues., Sept. 27: vs. St. Thomas More, 4; Thurs., Sept. 29: at Putnam Science Academy, TBA; Sun, Sept. 2: vs. Hoosac School, 3; Fri., Oct. 7: at South Kent School Tournament, 2; Sat., Sept. 8: at South Kent School Tournament, TBA; Thurs., Oct. 13: vs. Pathfinder Club, 3:30; Sat., Oct. 15: at Hoosac School (Hoosac, N.Y.), 3; Wed., Oct. 19: vs. Putnam Science Academy, 3:30; Sat., Oct. 22: at St. Thomas More, 1; Wed., Oct. 26: at Pathfinder Club (Pathfinder, N.Y.), 5:30; Sat., Nov. 5: League Semifinals, TBA; Sat., Nov. 12: League Championship, TBA; Mon., Nov. 14: at Post Univ. JV. TBA; Mon., Nov. 21: at Post Univ. JV, TBA; Nov. 25-27: EDP Showcase at Tuckahoe Turf Farms (N.J.), TBA.
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