TORRINGTON >> The Torrington High School boys soccer team struggled with inexperienced players two years ago, then surprised a lot of people last year with their first Copper Division Championship.
In the process, the Red Raiders were an overtime loss away from winning the overall Naugatuck Valley League title.
Now, with eight starters returning from that team, the Raiders want more.
“We have leaders coming back with unfinished business,” said Coach Mike Fritch, Jr. “They’re ready for the next step, which is the NVL Championship.”
Jairo Borja was last year’s leader in statistics and attitude. From his center midfield spot, he led the team in goals, assists and never-say-die style. The combination earned him the NVL’s Top Senior Award from his spot on the All-NVL first team, plus Class L All-State and All-New England awards.
Borja graduated.
The veterans he left behind see it as a change of style.
Borja’s foot skills often allowed him to play with the ball long enough for a teammate to break open or for a shot to materialize.
“This year, we’re going to attack more as a team,” said senior John McCarthy, an All-Copper Division defender. “(Junior) Amar Suljic will be up front. Alex (Church) and Shane (Bierfeldt) will be finding him with good passes. With Jairo gone, we’ll play a lot more through balls.”
“Everything goes through (Church and Bierfeldt),” Fritch said. “McCarthy is in charge of the back.”
“With Shane and I in the middle, we’re going to control things,” said Church.
It’s a different, more aggressive style. How does it translate into the next step?
“It’s the intensity and the mind set,” said Fritch. “They’re in the right frame of mind.
“Last year was a departure from the year before when we struggled. We should know how to deal with that success now.”
It’s a tall task.
Watertown, laden with seniors, was the league power last year, but Naugatuck is often the bar-setter for the NVL and sometimes the state. The Raiders went through Naugatuck twice, once for the Copper Division title, next for the chance to go overtime (for the second time) with Watertown in the NVL Tournament finals.
“Experience really helps (this year),” said McCarthy. “Last year, we had a couple of kids who never played varsity before. With eight returning starters, we have a lot of kids to fill the spots this year.”
“We have more firepower and a better overall team,” said senior Bierfeldt, an All-NVL selection last year.
All-Copper Chris Parrotta is a third member of a formidable Raider midfield. Defender Nick Mancini, goalkeeper Zach Paniatti and defender Seth Gesmondi are the other returning starters.
“We have a challenging first week,” said Coach Fritch. “We open at home against Kennedy, then go to St. Paul (one of his league favorites, along with Naugatuck and Watertown) Thursday.
“We’re excited. We expect to be right there.”
