West geared up for turnaround

Posted 8/27/14

The Cranston West boys’ soccer team was much more competitive than its 2-11-2 record from last season would indicate, but that’s just one of the reasons the Falcons are optimistic that they’ll …

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West geared up for turnaround

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The Cranston West boys’ soccer team was much more competitive than its 2-11-2 record from last season would indicate, but that’s just one of the reasons the Falcons are optimistic that they’ll make a leap this year.

There’s also the young talent that helped the junior varsity team to a flurry of wins toward the end of last year, the continuity that exists now in head coach Jared Zimmer’s second year at the helm and the presence of some strong returning players who will be key pieces of a resurgence.

Throw all of that in with the fact that West was more than a touch snake-bitten last year, as it lost six games thanks to a second-half goal by the opposition, and the ingredients are there for a rebound year and a potential trip to the playoffs for the first time since 2010.

“Even though there are plenty of new faces on the varsity level, it’s a not a team that needs to get to know each other,” Zimmer said. “The passing is there, the pace is there, the desire is there. We’ve got to work on finishing, but I’m excited for this year.”

All of that said, there is still quite a bit to replace for the Falcons, who graduated eight players from last year’s team, including leading scorer Austin Raposa and fellow captains Nick Montaquila and Matt Chilvers

However, the program itself is flush with returners, and Zimmer now knows all of their strengths and weaknesses after being thrown right into the fire last year.

“Last year it took quite a bit of time – it took a good month – to get a feel,” Zimmer said. “Some of the kids you’d see in practice would be good or wouldn’t play up to your expectations, and they’d be totally different in a game. It took a while to find the right place to put these kids.”

A lot of those returners are from the junior varsity team, which went 5-1-1 in its final seven games of the season.

“We ended really strong last year,” Zimmer said.

Of course, perhaps the best thing West has going is its returning varsity contributors, specifically senior goalkeeper James Vartanian and midfielder/forward Hagop Taraksian.

Vartanian was a first-team all-division selection last year.

“We’re in any game with James,” Zimmer said. “He’s a tremendous leader, and he’s looking fantastic.”

Taraksian was one of the team’s most talented skill players.

“He’s an extremely adept passer,” Zimmer said. “Pace, speed, leads by example.”

Two other senior newcomers are also making a big impact. Bam Hernandez, who played soccer at the youth level prior to high school but has previously played football for West, will play forward or in the midfield and should provide a solid attacking presence.

“He’s looked really good in the summer and the preseason,” Zimmer said. “He’s got burst, he’s got power and he’s got a knack for putting the ball in the back of the net.”

Jasson Morais is another senior who didn’t play last year but is returning to the team and will play in the midfield.

The midfield as a whole is still in flux, with seniors Paul Minassian and Marc Vierra – who both played last year – getting some time, along with junior Derek Motta and sophomore Gil Del Valle.

Juniors Mitchell Blustein, Joulien Martinelli and Zach Ramsey are fighting for time as well.

“We have too many kids ready,” Zimmer said. “We have a lot of kids fighting for time to be on the varsity. It’s a good problem to have.”

The defense will be almost entirely new, with sophomores Javier Nunez, Angelo Laurenza and Evan Marino stepping into the void left due to graduation and the transfer of senior Gian Columbo.

All three players were part of the JV defense last season.

“I’ve got this generation of young kids coming up that are young and possibly inexperienced, but these kids can play,” Zimmer said. “I’m actually excited.”

Freshman Christian McDade may also see time on the back end, and senior Ryan Gonzalez can lend some support there, too.

Playing forward will be senior Nick Pagano, sophomore Logan Inocencio and junior Christian Martinelli.

It’s a talented mix. The Falcons will have an Injury Fund game at home against Davies Thursday at 3:30 p.m., a scrimmage at home against Scituate Friday at 3:30 p.m. and then they will host Middletown on Tuesday at 3:45 p.m. in their first league game.

They hope talent, a second-year coach, some experience and a little bit of good luck make the difference.

“We certainly want to make the playoffs this year,” Zimmer said. “We think we have a team that can get in the playoffs this year. We want to be a team that you don’t want to play, simply put.”

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