By Holly D’Addio, Courier Sports
Writer:
Reaching a preseason
goal is always the name of the game for a team, but the Valley Regional
High School boys’ soccer
team not only reached its goal, the Warriors exceeded it. Working hard all
season to reach the state tournament—a feat they missed by one win last
season—Valley boasted a long list of talented and experience players that
helped them reach the ultimate goal.
“Many of our
starters this season had previous varsity experience and that’s always a plus
for a team,” said Assistant Coach Larry Bright. “We had experience on offense,
defense, and everywhere in between.”
Leading the Warriors
were senior tri-captains Chris Pacileo, James Pash, and Eric Dunn. Dunn was the
team’s leading scorer for the second consecutive season and earned First Team
All-Shoreline honors along with Pacileo. Pash was an Honorable Mention
All-Shoreline pick and earned the team’s Pain-Train Award given to an
outstanding defensive player.
Senior goalkeeper
Ryan Vandehei had another remarkable season for Valley and earned the Warrior
Award alongside fellow senior Corrigan Harreys. Mike Gordon, Jimmy Tomlinson,
and Matt Caiazzo also contributed to Valley’s success as seniors this season.
What stood out most
this season besides the team camaraderie and hard work was the team effort to
try to win each and every game—and not be left out in the state tournament
again this season.
“We were competitive
and had a chance to win every game we played all season,” said Bright. “Even
though we lost five games, every one of those instances we lost by one goal and
they were all close games. It was a very good effort by the team.”
Despite the fact
that Valley will graduate three big starters from offense, defense, and
midfield, many of the underclassmen, such as Kevin Dunn, Nick Denegre, and Jeff
Holmes, who earned an Honorable Mention All-Shoreline nod, gained valuable
varsity experience this season and will return to the team in 2009.
“We have a lot of
talent coming back next year so I expect us to contend once again,” said Bright.
2008 Valley Boys’
Soccer SEQ CHAPTER \h \r 1Season in Review
Record: 8-5-3
Captains: James
Pash, Chris Pacileo, and Eric Dunn
Seniors: Pash,
Pacileo, Dunn, Ryan Vandehei, Corrigan Harreys, Mike Gordon, Jimmy Tomlinson,
and Matt Caiazzo.
Biggest Accomplishment:
The Warriors stayed in every single game they played this season and suffered
many losses by only one goal.
Coach’s Award: Kevin
Dunn
Most Improved Award:
Nick Denegre
Points Leader: Eric
Dunn
Warrior Award: Vandehei
and Harreys
Pain-Train Award
(for an outstanding defender): Pash
First Team
All-Shoreline: Pacileo and Eric Dunn
Honorable Mention
All-Shoreline: Pash and Jeff Holmes
Next Year’s Outlook:
Valley will lose three starters to graduation, but many underclassmen received
varsity experience this season, which should lead to a solid season in 2009.
Pictured: Seniors James Pash, Eric Dunn, Chris Pacileo, Ryan Vandehei, Corrigan Harreys,
Mike Gordon, Mike Caiazzo, and Jimmy Tomlinson were all an integral part of the
Valley boys' soccer team's success this season.
Photo courtesy of Patty Conwell