Gallagher key to Carthage’s change in philosophy

CARTHAGE — The Carthage boys soccer team plans to use a more aggressive offensive approach this season.

One of the biggest reasons for that change in philosophy is senior forward Matt Gallagher.

Carthage coach Katherine Stackel said that the Comets, who advanced farther than any team in program history with a trip to the Section 3 Class A semifinals last season, will be less defensive minded this year, and try to play to their strengths of overall team speed and fire power up front.

“We’re going to try to throw as many people forward as we possibly can,” Stackel said. “We’re going to live or die with that. We may give up goals, but hopefully we’re going to score more than the other team.”

Gallagher, who will begin his fourth and final varsity season with a game at Mount Markham on Friday, believes that the adjustments will help Carthage achieve its number one objective this season, winning a sectional title.

“We have more attacking players (this year),” Gallagher said. “Last year, our biggest downfall was not scoring, so this year we’re looking to improve on that. We might concede goals, but we’re going to score.”

While the team had trouble scoring at times last season, Gallagher did not. The 6-foot-2, 185-pound striker tallied a team-high 13 goals, to go with one assist. He scored nine goals as a sophomore, and seven as a freshman.

Gallagher holds the school’s single-season junior varsity scoring record, a mark he set as an eighth-grader with 25 goals and nine assists.

“When I see the goal, I usually shoot it,” said Gallagher, who described himself as “both-footed.”

Stackel thinks the team’s new game plan should help Gallagher, as well as other scoring threats like senior Conner Biolsi, another fourth-year talent who plays club soccer with Gallagher in the offseason.

“I think it will help (Gallagher) score more, and I think it will take some pressure off him, it will give him more options,” Stackel said. “I think we’re going to surprise people, we have people that can score all over the field.”

Gallagher, who was a Times All-North second-team selection in each of the last two seasons, said that he wants to lead the Frontier League in scoring this year.

But his primary focus is on winning a league and sectional championship. Gallagher believes that both are attainable for the Comets, even without last year’s second-leading scorer, Tiago Porto.

“I think we have potential to win the sectional final,” Gallagher said. “We lost Tiago, but we have a lot of people stepping up.”

Gallagher plans to play soccer in college, and has narrowed his choices down to a pair of Division I schools, Rhode Island and Albany, along with Division II LeMoyne. Gallagher plans to major in criminal justice, and eventually wants to work for the FBI.

“I think he can be an impact player in college,” Stackel said. “I think he’s that physically strong, and he’s that fast, and he’s worked to get it.”

Even with the offense taking priority, Stackel expects a big season in the back from fourth-year senior defender Jordan Abbass. His ability to anchor the defense, according to Stackel, will allow the Comets to send extra bodies to the offensive end.

Four Frontier League teams are scheduled to begin play today, with the rest of the league getting started throughout the week.

Here is a look at the rest of the Frontier League teams.

“A” Division

Outlook: Carthage can expect to be butting heads with Watertown atop the “A” Division this year. The Cyclones, who won the regular season and playoff titles last season, lost Times All-North selections Matt Cleaver and Chris Waterbury to graduation. But with Malcolm Lynch and Mitch Rick back to handle the scoring duties, and a roster loaded with upper classmen, Watertown should have a good chance to defend its divisional title. Immaculate Heart expects a better output this year, after nine of its 10 losses came by one goal last season. The Cavaliers also went to overtime five times last year, and are hoping that senior keeper Al Davis can help them fare better in close games. Indian River plans to start four freshmen after graduating nine players from last year’s team. Coach Fred LaVancha said the Warriors will go as far as senior midfielder Zachary Godin can take them.

Carthage Comets

Coach: Katherine Stackel (6th year).

2010 record: 12-6 overall, 5-4 league.

Players to watch: Matt Gallagher, Conner Biolsi, Jordan Abbass.

Roster: Matt Gallagher (Sr.), Noah LoConte (Jr.), Brendan Nelden (Jr.), Jeremy Kaufmann (Sr.), Andrew Swords (Sr.), Conner Biolsi (Sr.), Neil Williams (Jr.), Tyler Clemons (So.), Tyler Biolsi (Jr.), Aaron Gallagher (Jr.), Ben Reynolds (Jr.), Bob Bailey (Sr.), Gabe Acosta (Jr.), Paul Zehr (Sr.), Andrew Benson (Jr.), Jacob Zehr (So.), Brodie Woodward (So.), Jordan Abbass (Sr.), Bryan Benson (Sr.), Monte Weaver (Sr.), Ryan Paige (Sr.), Sebastian Fountain (Jr.).

Immaculate Heart Cavaliers

Coach: Mary Guyette (2nd year).

2010 record: 4-10-1, 3-6.

Players to watch: Al Davis, Sam Purcell, Graham Whalen.

Roster: Al Davis (Sr.), Shane Garrabrant (Sr.), John Hornbarger (Sr.), Graham Whalen (Sr.), Davon Carrington (Jr.), Sam Purcell (Jr.), Jude Fusilli (So.), Pat Gefell (So.), Matt Guyette (So.), Jared Pignone (So.), Jason Reape (So.), Austin Renzi (So.), Chris Rowland (So.), Dominic Uliano (So.), Jude Whalen (So.), JP McClusky (Fr.).

Indian River Warriors

Coach: Fred LaVancha (5th year).

2010 record: 8-7-1, 5-4.

Players to watch: Zachary Godin, Ryan Lynch, Ben Godin, Edward Malinoski.

Roster: Michael Mullins (Jr.), Edward Malinoski (Fr.), Erick Torres Jara (Fr.), Kyle Smith (Fr.), Tyler Cook (Fr.), Zachary Godin (Sr.), Brady Bombard (Jr.), Will Wilson (Jr.), Zachary Pitts (Jr.), Tyler John (Jr.), Jonathan Blair (Jr.), Ryan Lynch (Sr.), Hayden Crowder (Jr.), Gaige Barker (Jr.), Joseph Fountain (Sr.), Benjamin Godin (So.), Justin Mattingly (Jr.), Griffith Black (Sr.), John East (Jr.), Brandon Slaney (Sr.), Jesse James (Jr.), Samuel LaClair (Sr.), Jacob LaClair (Jr.).

Watertown Cyclones

Coach: Todd Heckman (5th year).

2010 record: 13-5, 7-2.

Players to watch: Malcolm Lynch, Mitch Rick, Shayne Watson.

Roster: George Bonisteel (Sr.), Cameron Devlin (Sr.), Alexander Horeth (Jr.), Nick Koepsell (Sr.), Pat Long (Sr.), Malcolm Lynch (Sr.), Bayley Madden (Jr.), Brad McKinney (So.), Alex Nolan (Jr.), Jeremy Reff (Jr.), Mitch Rick (Sr.), Milan Sanchez (Sr.), Mark Taylor (Sr.), Tyrell Thomas (Fr.), Andrew VanHouten (Jr.), Shayne Watson (Jr.), Jovan Medina (Sr.), Kenny Schimpf (Fr.).

“B” Division

Outlook: South Jefferson lost four Times All-North players from last year’s team, which went undefeated until its 2-0 loss to Clinton in the sectional semifinals. But the Spartans return starting forwards Matt Bero and Kraig Steele, along with midfielders Ryan Clark, Nick Barker, and Zach Lanzar. South Jefferson will need its defense, with Aaron Knapp being the only returning starter, to gel quickly if the team wants to match last season’s success. General Brown will lean on senior striker David Damon to improve on its three-win 2010 season. Lowville has a new head coach and a thin roster, but expects to compete for the divisional title.

General Brown Lions

Coach: Phil Jenner (9th year).

2010 record: 3-12, 3-9.

Players to watch: David Damon, Adam Siembida, Jared Hickok.

Roster: Adam Vodicka (Jr.), David Vodicka (Fr.), Ryan Sheridan (Fr.), Nick Massaro (Sr.), Kevin Durdon (8th), Logan Tefft (Sr.), Adam Siembida (Jr.), Anthon VanTassel (Jr.), David Damon (Sr.), Aaron Parker (Jr.), Ryan Ellis (Fr.), Ryan Shippee (Sr.), Cole Johnson (Fr.), Alex Martinez (Fr.), Dan Phillips (Sr.), Eyan Meraz (Jr.), Ryan Keech (Jr.), Nolan Pitkin (Jr.), Jared Hickok (Sr.).

Lowville Red Raiders

Coach: Nick Matuszczak (1st year).

2010 record: 8-9, 5-7.

Players to watch: Alex Clark, Eric Vargulick, Jeremiah Zehr.

Roster: Alex Clark (Sr.), Eric Vargulick (Sr.), Jeremiah Zehr (Sr.), Calder Roggie (Sr.), Zach Widrick (Sr.), Wyatt Carpenter (Jr.), Jordan Zehr (Jr.), Greg Panowicz (Jr.), Stephen Reed (Jr.), Kody Rosales (Jr.), Dylan Roes (So.), Collin Farquhar (So.), Jamie Merrell (So.).

South Jefferson Spartans

Coach: Warren Denny (4th year).

2010 record: 15-1, 11-0.

Players to watch: Matt Bero, Kraig Steele, Zach Lanzar, Nick Barker.

Roster: Jordan Aronowitz (Jr.), Tom Bassett (Jr.), Willaim Beese (Jr.), Cameron Heasley (Jr.), Zach Lanzar (Jr.), Taylor Lucas (Jr.), Brett Maguire (Jr.), Mike Nesterick (Jr.), Tyler Palmer (Jr.), Pearce Parsons (Jr.), Jordan Schloop (Jr.), Kraig Steele (Jr.), Nick Barker (Sr.), Matt Bero (Sr.), Ryan Clark (Sr.), Brandon Frary (Sr.), Nick Hallett (Sr.), Aaron Knapp (Sr.), Mike McCormick (Sr.), John Ramsey (Sr.), Tyler Robert (Sr.), Kyle Robinson (Sr.), Nick Thomas (Sr.).

“C” Division

Outlook: Thousand Islands returns eight players from last year’s team, which dominated the division. The Vikings enter this season as the heavy favorites, and will look to seniors Ian Smith and Kevin Swartz for a bulk of their scoring. South Lewis will field a team this season after low numbers forced the program off the field last year. The Falcons need freshmen scoring talents Nate Plescoch and Nick Arrigo to mature quickly if the team is to be in the mix at the end of the season, as coach Kory Smith said is the expectation. Gavin Bertram will take over as the head coach at Sandy Creek, and said that the team’s goal is to win more games than they lose. The Comets have just 13 players on the roster, and will be short-handed to start the season due to a few players not meeting the required number of practices. Beaver River returns 14 players from a team that went winless a season ago. This year’s edition of the Beavers will have four seniors, as opposed to zero last year, and added depth with 20 players overall.

Beaver River Beavers

Coach: Brian Sterner (2nd year).

2010 record: 0-13, 0-12.

Players to watch: John Ottinger, Kyle Zehr, Zachary Steiner.

Roster: Ben Birchenough (Sr.), Zane Brouty (Jr.), Cordel Brouty (Fr.), Jared Fulin (So.), Kevin Hemstreet (Sr.), Riley Joslin (Fr.), James Kenealy (So.), Brandon Liagammari (Jr.), Shaun Malbeuf (So.), Nicholas Mattimore (So.), Zachary Mattimore (Jr.), David Merry (So.), Sean Messier (Sr.), Hunter Nortz (Jr.), John Ottinger (Sr.), William Shambo (So.), Zachary Steiner (Jr.), Cody Updike (Jr.), Jacob Yousey (So.), Kyle Zehr (Jr.).

Sandy Creek Comets

Coach: Gavin Bertram (1st year).

2010 record: 2-12, 1-11.

Players to watch: Tyler Reff, Kyle Nellis, Ivan Grossman.

Roster: Kyle Nellis (Sr.), Joe Cambareri (Sr.), David Rice (Sr.), Ben Wallace (Sr.), Michael Horth (Sr.), Jordan Perkins (Sr.), Lucas Assfalg (Sr.), Tyler Reff (Jr.), Ivan Grossman (Jr.), AJ Wills (Jr.), Corey Reff (So.), CJ Smith (So.), Collin Reff (Fr.).

South Lewis Falcons

Coach: Kory Smith (4th year).

2010 record: No team in 2010.

Roster: Nate Plescoch (Fr.), Nick Arrigo (Fr.), Ryan Teal (So.), Ryan Card (So.), Paul Csizsmar (So.), Reilly Baker (So.), Dominic Sabatini (So.), Ty Bourgeois (So.), Jacob Morris (So.), Shawn Loomis (So.), JT Smith (So.), Chandler Aldrich (So.), Ray Pominville (Jr.), Yoonkyu Kim (Jr.), Michael Sabatini (Sr.), Andy Dibble (Sr.), Christopher Scheer (Sr.), Josh Walters (Sr.), Hunter Chruscicki (Sr.), George Trainor (Sr.).

Thousand Islands Vikings

Coach: Shannon Amo (12th year).

2010 record: 13-3-1, 10-2-1.

Players to watch: Sawyer Bach, Ian Smith, Kevin Swartz.

Roster: Sawyer Bach (Sr.), John Kane (Sr.), Kolby Kittle (Sr.), Deryck Montante (Sr.), Ian Smith (Sr.), Kevin Swartz (Sr.), Isaac Taylor (Sr.), Scott Mckain (Jr.), Nathan Hall (Jr.), Cameron Robbins (Jr.), Jess Smith (Jr.), Sam Ada (So.), Luke Smith (So.), Tiger Chapman (Fr.), Bennitt Donnelly (Fr.), Dan Swartz (Fr.).

“D” Division

Outlook: Lyme lost the league’s all-time leader in goals and assists, Cory Walker, to graduation. But the Indians have enough returning talent to defend their regular season and playoff titles, although it will likely have stiffer competition in the division this year. Sackets Harbor may have the best chance to de-throne Lyme, as the Patriots return seven seniors. Coach Kara Kleiboer said that the team’s objective is to at least finish in the top half of the division. Copenhagen returns just five players, and will need a big year from senior midfielder Joe Murtha to challenge for the division. Alexandria will look to improve upon last year’s fourth-place finish, which was the best in the program’s seven-year history. Coach Robert Bastian said that the team’s hope is to qualify for the league and sectional playoffs for the second straight year. Ron Whitney is the new head man at Belleville Henderson, and believes that the senior-heavy team can contend for the divisional crown if it can find some consistent finishers around the net.

Alexandria Purple Ghosts

Coach: Robert Bastian (8th year).

2010 record: 8-7-2, 6-5-2.

Players to watch: Ian Kearns, Gannon Beach, Justin Ward, Riley Thomson, Brian Fefee.

Roster: Nick Speach (Sr.), Christopher Strough (Jr.), Jacob O’Day (So.), Miles Bartlett (So.), Ray Dickhaut (So.), Cameron Morgan (Fr.), Jordan VanBrocklin (So.), Gannon Beach (Sr.), Troyer Gill (Sr.), Nick Shangraw (So.), Ian Kearns (Jr.), Caleb Wills (Jr.), Justin Ward (Sr.), Tristan Thomson (Fr.), Shawn Martin (Sr.), Ryan Cullen (Jr.), Riley Thomson (Sr.), Brock Ward (So.), Andy Henry (So.), Brian Fefee (Sr.), Christopher Carrasquillo (So.), Zach Miller (Sr.), Matthias Germscheid (Jr.), Brandon Pierce (Sr.).

Belleville Henderson Panthers

Coach: Ron Whitney (1st year).

2010 record: 8-8, 8-5.

Players to watch: Tom Leen, Jake Arnold, Schuyler Dillon, Brandon Harmych.

Roster: Tom Leen (Sr.), Jake Arnold (Sr.), Schuyler Dillon (Sr.), Adam Durham (Sr.), Brandon Harmych (Sr.), Spencer Stucky (Sr.), Andrew Folk (Sr.), Nolan Donoghue (Sr.), Dan Clark (Sr.), Seth Partida (Sr.), Corey Morris (Sr.), Kellen Woods (Sr.), Matt Glowfeskie (Jr.), Nate Leviker (Jr.), Tyler Bast (So.), Jake Allen (So.), Thurman Babcock (So.), Matthew Corron (Fr.), Tom Desormeau (Fr.).

Copenhagen Golden Knights

Coach: Scott Randall (3rd year).

2010 record: 10-8, 8-5.

Players to watch: Joe Murtha, Collin Hess, Dylan Eddy, Kody Petrus.

Roster: Dylan Eddy (Sr.), Joe Murtha (Sr.), Collin Hess (Sr.), Zaden Whitney (Sr.), Tyler St. Louis (Jr.), Justin Roberts (Jr.), Christian Johnson (Jr.), Scott Hamblin (Jr.), Logan Marlof (Jr.), Chris Romero (Jr.), Kasey Rivers (Jr.), Kody Petrus (Jr.), Luke Evans (Jr.), Greg Kunert (So.), Travis Clarke (So.), Antonio Figueroa (Fr.), Brenden Jacobs (Fr.), Breven Jacobs (Fr.), Dakar Patterson (Sr.).

LaFargeville Red Knights

Coach: Dan Staie (9th year).

2010 record: 3-10.

No roster provided.

Lyme Indians

Coach: Scott Radley (15th year).

2010 record: 12-2-4, 9-1-3.

Players to watch: Brian Pawlin, Dakota Booth, Skyler Bocciolatt, Mark Parker, Troy Wilson.

Roster: Jeremy Tarwater (Sr.), Dakota Booth (Sr.), Skyler Bocciolatt (Sr.), Brian Pawlin (Sr.), Cody Nichols (Sr.), Shelby Mellen (Sr.), Keith Goutremout (Jr.), R.J. Strasser (Sr.), Kody Goutremout (Jr.), Shane Millington (Jr.), Andrew Quencer (Jr.), Zach Backus (Jr.), Troy Wilson (So.), Mark Parker (So.), Timmy Morrow (So.), Christian Sanford (So.), Sam Liakhovitch (So.), Hakan Balcan (So.), Forest Stafford (So.), Jared Donaldson (So.), Donovan Marchiony (So.), Tanner Wiley (8th).

Sackets Harbor Patriots

Coach: Kara Kleiboer (4th year).

2010 record: 7-8, 7-6.

Roster: Cameron Allen (Sr.), Ryan Allen (Fr.), Zach Allen (Sr.), Noel Burnett (Sr.), Zach D’Alessando (Sr.), Alex D’Alessandro (Sr.), Ethan Dillabough (So.), Jake Dillabough (Sr.), Jake Flagg (Jr.), Alex Garcia (Sr.), Gareth Hopper (Sr.), Alexi Lapusnak (Sr.), Alex Rookey (Sr.), Marshall Smith (Sr.), Artem Tkachenko (Sr.).