Boy's soccer season previews

Spencerport

Coming off their first Section Five championship since 1979, and finishing the season ranked seventh in the state, the Rangers will attempt to repeat with just one starter returning in co-captain Andy Morgan. Other key returnees include co-captain Matt Sprague, Anthony Borzilleri, Dominic Coco and Billy Mson.

Newcomers: sophomore forward Doug Potter, sophomore defender Bryan Bourne, junior defender Matt Bartock.

Coach Tom Etsler said, "We are very solid in the goalkeeper position with senior Ryan Myers and junior Cody Saetta battling for time right now. Our team is young and inexperienced, but we should improve as the season progresses. The division is really up for grabs with several teams in the running to take the league title."

The team hosts their tournament September 16-17 and finishes the regular season with five of their final seven games on the road. Etsler, already second all-time on Spencerport's wins list and in his 11th season as head coach, will look forward to his 125th victory with the Rangers with their fourth win this season.

Churchville-Chili

The Saints advanced to the Sectional semi-finals before losing to top-seeded Fairport and are looking for their first title since 1990. They lost almost 70 percent of the offense to graduation but five starters return: forward Jordan Andercolich, midfielder Mike Malone and defenders Rob Tanner, Nick DeMarco and Scott Zorn. Malone was part of the Western team that took gold at this summer's Empire State Games.

Coach Ryan Raftery said, "Monroe County Division I has four of the top teams in the state with Gates-Chili, Penfield, Fairport and us. It will come down to who is healthy in late October and I think we should be able to compete at a high level. This year's team will have a different style. While we don't have any superstars, I think we have depth and balance; something we lacked in previous years. I think we have a group that is going to remember losing in the semi's last season and use it to motivate us through the season."

Other players expected to contribute to the Saints include Erick O'Brien, who scored five goals last season at mid-field along with midfielder Brennen Dooling and Sean Pierce.

The Saints play just six games away from home, but two of those wrap up the season and could determine the title with games at Penfield and at Fairport in mid-October.

Hilton

After losing to Churchville-Chili in the Sectional playoffs last season with just six seniors, the Cadets return 12 players from last year's squad. Captains Jimmy Eichas, Brian Beckler, Alex Fess and Lucas Marble will be looked upon to lead the way as Hilton moves down to Division II this season.

Coach Paul Davis said, "This year we are moving down, so I do not know who the strongest teams are, but I know both teams that played in last year's state qualifier lost some excellent players so maybe it will be more wide open this year. Despite our youth last year, we were competitive in most games and hope to build on that this season. Last year's experience should help us."

The Cadets will play in the Spencerport tournament in mid-September and play five of their final eight contests on the road.

Note: Other area teams failed to respond to request for information.