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Rebuilding continues for Panthers soccer
Martin takes over a Panthers team that won only two games in 2006 and lost nine seniors, including its only two ECIC Division II all-stars, Eric Schnirel and Matt Sommer. In fact, Martin has only two returning players who saw time on the field, senior goalie Tim Arnold and junior center midfielder/ forward Nick Cavalieri. Arnold and Cavalieri are co-captains. "We don't have exceptional talent but if we work hard, we'll be OK," said Martin. If anyone can change Sweet Home's luck, it's Martin. The past three years, Martin has successfully turned around the school's girls soccer team, including a postseason win two years ago, its first since 1995. "Sweet Home has traditionally been strong in boys soccer but that's slipped in the last 10 to 15 years (team won section title in 2004)," said Martin. "I'd like to get it back to that point but it's going to take time." Prior to his stint with the girls, Martin was head of Sweet Home JV boys soccer for a few years but the last class he coached graduated last year. "They're all new to me and I'm new to them," said Martin. Besides Arnold and Cavalieri, Martin is looking for contributions from senior central defender Rich Fedele, center midfielders, junior Eric Daigler, sophomore Johnny Reeb and freshman Connor Orrico, senior outside left midfielder Craig Stallard and senior outside defensive back Pat Luvender. Eighth grader Mike Biggane could play a right outside midfielder position. "We're getting close to where we're going to be," said Martin. "We played St. Joe's in a scrimmage and it was 3-2 for most of the way. They got a penalty kick with two minutes left to make it 4-2. Competing against a team like them really showed me something." Sweet Home opened the season competing on Friday and Saturday in the NFL/ECIC Challenge at Lewiston-Porter. On Friday, the Panthers lost 5-1 to Lewiston Porter. The game was tied at 1-1 at halftime despite numerous scoring chances by Lew-Port. Lew-Port scored three times in the first 20 minutes of the second half. Andrew Kinnaird scored for the Panthers on a corner kick. On Saturday, the Panthers dropped a 3-0 decision to defending Section VI Class AA champion Kenmore West. Sweet Home trailed 2-0 at halftime. "The score could have been much worse," said Martin. "Goalkeeper Tim Arnold made a great save on a penalty kick and stopped numerous Kenmore West breakaways and point blank shots." "We are not a talented enough team to play in spurts," he added. "We need to learn how to put together a full 90 minutes of hard work and only then will we start to be in some games. This is clearly a rebuilding year and each day as the team learns more about the game and gains experience, the hope is that we will become more competitive." Sweet Home played at Maryvale on Tuesday but results were unavailable before The Bee went to press. "I don't know what to expect," said Martin of the season. "On paper, we're picked to be at the bottom of the league, if not second to last. But I believe that if we play hard and outwork other teams, I'd be very surprised if we're at the bottom."
"I don't care where we are tomorrow, I just care about where we're going to be on October 23 (start of sectionals)," he added. |
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