SALEM
Last year's record: 9-7-1
Head coach: Mike Collins (second season)
Team captains: Edwin Demoya, Sr., F; Danny McCarthy, Sr., GK.
Other key players: Brion Likaj, Jr., F; Jake Theriault Jr., D; Daniel Collins Jr., Mid; Dimitri Flessas Jr., D.
Coach's outlook: "They like to have fun; not in a fooling around, immature way, but are determined to have fun despite the outcome. The incoming freshmen can see things aren't too uptight but more lively, and I think that is beneficial to the team."
BEVERLY
Last year's record: 4-9-5
Head coach: Kevin Leahy (seventh season)
Team captains: Josh Carmer, Sr., D; Brad Surette, Sr., F; Pat Wilson, Sr., GK.
Other key players: Matt Bourque, Sr., D; Troy Cabral, Sr., D; Tom Fallon, Sr., M/F; Conor Leahy, Soph., Mid; Cam Rogers, Soph., Mid; James Powers, Sr., D; Will Gotsch, Jr., Mid; Steve Crowley, Jr., F.
Coach's outlook: "The biggest thing these guys have is their history of adversity. The seniors are a proud group and for three years they haven't had great teams or records. They really want to turn that around."
PEABODY
Last year's record: 12-2-4
Head coach: Stan McKeen (15th season)
Team captains: Nick Melo, Sr., Mid/Striker; Cliff McKeon, Sr., Stopper; Luke Finkelstein, Sr., Mid.
Other key players: Mike Chiappini, Jr., Striker/Mid; Colin Mahoney, Jr., Mid; Zack DaSilva, Jr., Mid.
Coach's outlook: "We're not big in size but have a lot of skill, which should be a huge plus. These guys move the ball really well and hopefully we can find a goal scorer. Also, we have a three-way battle going for goalie between junior Pat Ryan and sophomores Tommy Drover and Anthony Ferrara."
DANVERS
Last year's record: 13-2-3
Head coach: Mike Chase (first season)
Team captains: Eric Martin, Soph., Mid; Nick Strangie, Sr., F; Nick Gikas, Sr., D.
Other key players: Carter Ocko, Soph., D; Cam Mower, Sr., D.
Coach's outlook: "We play some of the toughest competition in the state and our out of conference schedule is tough, so we have some big talent coming our way. We have only four guys back, but we have a good core group of talent starting in back, so hopefully we can keep people off the scoreboard. If we finish (up front), we'll be competitive."
MARBLEHEAD
Last year's record: 11-3-4
Head coach: Darren Benedick (first season)
Team captains: Mike Brenan, Jr., Mid; Nate Cullen, Sr., Mid.
Other key players: Cole Guyre, Fr., Mid; Dan Plunkett, Sr., D; Nikki Alvarez, Jr., F.
Coach's outlook: "They're learning how to play the game properly. They have played a lot of kick-and-run in the past and I'm looking to bring in the European style; it's how soccer is played all over the world. We are going to play the right way and then grow as a unit during the season."
SWAMPSCOTT
Head coach: Eric Robinson (first season)
Team captains: Chris Mason, Sr., D; Phil O'Connor, Jr., D.
Other key players: Erick Verdu, Soph., M; Nadav Zafrani, Sr., M; Niclas Biser, Sr., Striker.
Coach's outlook: "We are very young but talented; just very inexperienced at the varsity level. Every time we step on the field we are learning and building."
HAMILTON-WENHAM
Last year's record: (6-6-4)
Head coach: Matt Gauron (ninth season)
Team captains: Undecided
Other key players: Sam Martinez, Sr., Striker; Matt Herrick, Sr., Stopper; Tad Decatur, Sr., Mid; Max Montanari, Jr., Mid; Luke Besse, Jr., GK.
Coach's outlook: "The boys have come in with great attitude and are definitely ready to play. That's an attitude that can breed success if the pieces fall in place."
IPSWICH
Last year's record: 6-8-2
Head coach: Rick Storer (27th season)
Team captains: Anthony Longo, Sr., D; Robbie Brengle Sr., D,
Other key players: Max Humphrey Jr., D; Will Galanis Sr., D; Steve Hamilton Sr., Mid; Slater Sullivan, Soph Mid; Chris DiNocco, Soph., F.
Coach's outlook: "We graduated over half the squad last year and return only three starters, so we'll be very young and inexperienced. The key for the season will be how quickly the younger players mature. We have some talented younger kids and if they can adapt quickly, it'll make a big difference."
MASCONOMET
Last year's record: 14-2-2
Head coach: Len Emmons (38th season)
Team captains: D.J Clark, Sr., Mid; Brady Forcier, Sr., Mid; Derek Schleer, Sr., Mid.
Other key players: Jason Katz, Sr., GK; Tyler Amore, Sr., F; Sam Warner, Sr., F; Chad Burke, Jr., F.
Coach's outlook: "I've been impressed by their work ethic. We've been working hard in these hot, muggy days, taking advantage of the heat and the sun, so our fitness level is very high."
BISHOP FENWICK
Last year's record: (10-4-4)
Head coach: Andrew Bub (second season)
Team captains: Doug Garabedian, Sr., Mid; Brian Ferri, Sr., GK; Zack Terenzoni, Sr., D; Angelo Maida, Sr., Mid.
Other key players: Rashad Khan, Fr., striker; Bryon Blaisdell, Jr., M; Ian White, Jr., Sweeper.
Coach's outlook: "What our defense lost in skill, we gained in speed. The kids did a lot of work in the offseason, and so far have really jelled well together, which should really help us out down the line. This group is not just a team, but a family and that will really bode well for us in the tougher games."
ST. JOHN'S PREP
Last year's record: 9-7-2
Head coach: Dave Crowell (10th season)
Team captains: Adam Colella, Sr., GK; Jimmy O'Leary, Sr., Mid; Jake Barrows, Sr., Mid.
Other key players: Grant Bean, Jr., Mid; Justin Peluso, Sr., D; Sean Mackinson, Sr., M; Connor Hooven, Sr., Mid; Drew Jenkins, Sr., Mid; Tyler Nehall, Sr., Striker; Ryan Palmer, Sr., Mid; Jon Touchette, Sr., D; Jordan Bothwick, Sr., D; Steve Karalolis, Sr., Mid.
Coach's outlook: "Our expectations are to win the Catholic Conference, which will be difficult with B.C. High and Catholic Memorial being so strong. We have some excellent overall team speed, good depth and ill see how the juniors we're relying on develop. We need one of those guys to emerge as goal scorer."
NORTH SHORE TECH
Last year's record: 7-6-5
Head coach: Bob Parsons (ninth season)
Team captains: Derrick Frazier, Sr., Mid; Doug Foley, Sr., D; Jeremy Caira, Sr., Sweeper; Gary Polsonetti, Sr., GK.
Other key players: Ronnie Donahue, Soph., F; Dan Germain, Jr., Mid.
Coach's outlook: "We graduated a ton of goals. Our top two leading scorers had over 40 goals between them, so scoring is going to be the main concern. But our whole defense is back; I'd put Gary (Polsonetti) up against anyone in the league. We won't give up many goals, but scoring 'em will be another story."
PINGREE
Last year's record: 12-2-3
Head coach: Eric Olson (12th season)
Team captains: Charles Hildt, Sr., Mid; Charles Owen, Sr., Mid.
Other key players: Charles Parker Sr., GK; Tim Knowles, Sr., Mid; Narayan Plourde, Sr., Mid.
Coach's outlook: "It is going to be tough to defend the Eastern Independent League title in a league with great parity. It'll be a matter of how the boys are able to come together as a team and how hard they are able to work to improve."
