Avon boys hope to make run at NCCC title; Canton aims for Class S bid

Canton High players work out at Bowdoin Field before the season begins.

The Avon and Canton High boys soccer teams will be adjusting to the graduation of several starting players in June. But the expectations for the two teams will be different. 

Avon will be looking to challenge for a NCCC championship and perhaps make a run at the Class L championship with a young core of players while Canton will be looking to secure enough victories to secure a berth in the Class S tournament. 

A year ago, Avon (16-4-1) finished third in the NCCC for the second straight season. And like they did in 2011, the Falcons made a run in the Class L tournament that ended in the state championship game. In 2011, Masuk sent Avon home with the runnerup trophy after a 3-0 decision. 

Last year, Avon was upset by Canton, 4-2 in late October. They lost to league champion Suffield, 1-0 in their next game.

But Avon ripped off six straight wins including four straight in the Class L tournament. A freshman, Riley Strassner, had the game-winning goal in a 1-0 win over E.O. Smith in the first game of the tournament. In the second round, junior Bobby Zaino had a goal and an assist in a 2-1 win over Bethel. Zaino scored two goals in a 4-0 win over Berlin in the quarterfinals. And in the semifinals, junior Daniel Leszczynski scored off a free kick with 10:46 left to give Avon a 1-0 win over Hand in the semifinals. 

Strassner, who scored team-leading 10 goals last year, will be leading a talented class of sophomores, who could see significant playing time. “If they are ready to contribute, we could have a very successful season,” Avon High coach David Zlatin said. 

Senior defender Jared Rosenblatt and midfielder Sean Janson are back along with junior defender Stephen Dorney, an All-NCCC defender last year. Zlatin sees the midfield and the depth of the squad as strengths in the coming weeks. 

“We expect to compete for the league title and if we stay healthy, try to make another deep run in the Class L tournament,” Zlatin said. Suffield, Granby, Somers and Ellington loom as the top teams in the NCCC. 

After the graduation of 12 seniors and six starters, CANTON (11-8, 9-7 NCCC) needs to recalibrate. Those six starters included starting goalie Tyler Lange, the entire defensive backfield and Jimmy Spatcher, who scored 31 goals – the second-highest single season scoring performance in school history. 

The top goal scorer returning is senior Alex Daley (13 goals) but long-time coach Bill Phelps may move him back to solidify the defense. Look for sophomore Josh Frigo in goal. Junior Nate Hanson, Tanner Clark. Rieley Hoffman and Ahmed Al-Aquel look to be in the midfield with the speedy Colin Martin and Colin Madigan up front as the two forwards. 

“We may not have a superstar player like Spatcher but this team works together,” Phelps said. “I think we’ll see more scoring from the midfield. This team sees the field well and distributes the ball.” 

Once again, the goal for the Warriors is to earn enough points to qualify for the Class S tournament. The league, which featured three teams in the state finals a year ago – Avon (Class L), Suffield (Class M) and Somers (Class S) – is very deep and strong. Canton is seeking its eighth straight tournament appearance and its 13th Class S bid in 14 years. The Warriors will need at least six wins and a tie. 

AVON
Coach: David Zlatin, 1st year
Last year: 16-4-1, 12-3-1 NCCC (3rd); Lost Class L finals to Farmington, 5-0
Key losses: Eight seniors including All-State players Jackson Davey (9 goals) and Jason Leaning and goalie Phil Lopreiato.
Top players: Junior D Stephen Dorney (All-NCCC), senior D Jared Rosenblatt, senior M Sean Janson.
Outlook: Avon looks to contend again for the NCCC title with Suffield, Ellington and Granby with a young core of players. Zlatin sees play at midfield and the depth of his squad as strengths.
Of note: Zlatin is just the fourth coach in the program’s history. … Three NCCC teams played in the state finals a year ago – Avon (L), Suffield (M) and Somers (S). Only Suffield won a state championship. 

CANTON
Coach: Bill Phelps, 25th season (180-197-41)
Last year: 11-8, 9-7 NCCC. Lost to Somers in Class S quarterfinals, 3-2
Key losses: All-State F Jim Spatcher (31 goals), Ben Corbett (8 goals), Blake Barkiewicz
Top players: Senior Alex Daley (13 goals), junior M Nate Hanson, junior M Tanner Clark, sophomore M Rieley Hoffman, senior M Ahmed Al-Aquel, sophomore G Josh Frigo, sophomore F Colin Madigan, F Colin Martin, D Nico Tuccillo
Outlook: Canton lost its starting goalie, all three defenders and Spatcher, who scored 31 goals a year ago, the second highest single season performance in school history. The Warriors don’t have a big goal scorer on the roster but they have a group of players who work well together. “They see the field and distribute the ball well,” Phelps said.Daley had 13 goals a year ago but will probably be moved back to strengthen the defense.
Of note: There are just a few more opportunities to see the Warriors play on Bowdoin Field before the opening of the new artificial turf complex at the high school this fall. Canton hosts Somers on Sept. 13, East Windsor on Sept. 23 and Granby on Sept. 25.