- November 26, 2024
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Matanzas Pirates are led by second-year coach Rich Weber.
The Matanzas High School boys soccer team lost several key seniors from last year’s squad, but a combination of younger players, new seniors and players returning from injury have second-year coach Rich Weber excited.
The Pirates finished last season with a 9-7-2 record. They lost to No. 1 seed Ponte Vedra in the district tournament.
In total, the Pirates lost nine seniors — six were starters — and one junior starter who moved. Captains Justin Watts, Christian Benvenuto and T.J. Von Diezelski all graduated, as did second-leading goal scorer Cody Hackett.
But new seniors will take over, Weber said.
“We have some very talented seniors who will lead the team,” he said. “We have some depth added from a very good junior-varsity team over the past few years. We have a couple of talented freshmen.”
Senior Eric Laverne will play forward and center defender for the Pirates, he played striker this summer. Weber will use him where the team needs him.
Ben Capua, an attacking midfielder, “has an engine that never stops,” Weber said.
Ryan Kosinski is the team’s top returning scorer. He had four goals and five assists last season.
Seniors Eric Scarpa (midfielder) and Javier Reyes (midfielder/defender) both missed substantial time last year. Scarpa has battled back injuries and surgery for the past two years. Weber said Scarpa is working hard to get fit.
Sophomores Austin Tucker (defender), Moises Meza (defender) and Anton Polinskiy (midfielder), as well as freshmen Bryan Mejia (midfielder/defender) and Nick Weber (midfielder/forward) will all play roles on this year’s varsity team.
Weber said the biggest challenge heading into the season is for the team to find its identity, especially after 10 players from last year’s team.
“There is definitely the talent to be a very good team,” Weber said. “But we must come together and work and commit fully to the team to be successful.”
Weber hopes to get leadership from his seniors, especially with so many younger players on the team.
POCKET SCHEDULE
7:20 p.m. Thursday, Nov. 10against Pedro Menendez
7:20 p.m. Tuesday, Nov. 15against Clay
7:20 p.m. Tuesday, Nov. 22@ Ponte Vedra
7:20 p.m. Tuesday, Nov. 29@ Creekside
7:20 p.m. Tuesday, Dec. 6Pedro Menendez
7:20 p.m. Thursday, Dec. 8against Nease
7:20 p.m. Tuesday, Dec. 13against St. Augustine
7 p.m. Friday, Dec. 16@ Flagler Palm Coast
7:20 p.m. Tuesday, Jan. 3@ Nease
7:20 p.m. Tuesday, Jan. 10against Palatka
7:20 p.m. Friday, Jan. 13against Bartram Trail
6 p.m. Thursday, Jan. 19against Warner Christian
