For South High boys soccer, a group of experienced leaders who have played together for four years is helping shape the season and pushing the Colonels toward bigger goals.
After finishing 2-9-2 last season, South is looking to improve on both sides of the ball. Head coach Brian Cormier said one of the team’s biggest areas of focus has been defense after allowing games to slip away last year.
“After the difficult season last year, we really don’t want to hang our heads,” Cormier said. “We have a new team this year, and we’re really focused on our defense; we gave up a lot of goals, and then momentum got out of control in games and throughout the season.”
That focus played a crucial role Monday night as the Colonels earned their first win of the season with a 4-2 victory over Quabbin Regional.
The game was tied at halftime before Quabbin took the lead early in the second half. South responded with four goals, including three from senior captain Endrit Huruglica, while Quabbin added its second goal later in the game.
Cormier believes the Colonels have a strong group of seniors who can help guide the team as the season moves forward. Among them are captains Huruglica, Diego Peralta and Peter Henriquez, three players Cormier has coached for four years.
“I have a great group of seniors, a great core, that I have actually had for around four years now,” Cormier said. “The three captains are the core players I look to build around.”
The three captains have taken on larger roles in leading the team and setting expectations for the season. Huruglica already has a clear goal in mind for his final season with the Colonels.
“For this season, I want us to make the playoffs and hopefully win it all,” Huruglica said. “That’s my goal, that’s my dream.”
Henriquez shares that confidence, pointing to the group’s chemistry as a key part of what makes this year’s team different.
“This year we have a really great squad; we’re full of passion and integrity, and we all play off each other, and I think we can make it far in the playoffs, and just see where it goes from there,” Henriquez said.
Through the first two games, the Colonels have started to show the qualities they hope will carry them forward. South opened the season with a scoreless tie against Burncoat before its comeback win over Quabbin, when the team’s ability to respond after falling behind stood out to Cormier.
“They fought hard for everything,” Cormier said. “We aren’t the biggest team, but they fought for every 50/50 ball. Of course, going down 1-0, a lot of teams don’t fight back, so to come from behind as a team and fight for each other is great, especially to get the win and not just draw.”
Huruglica believes that willingness to fight for one another reflects a change from a season ago.
“Last season, we had a rough start, and we were all upset; no one had the passion, but this year is different,” Huruglica said. “Tonight’s game really proved we can do a lot for this team, and we have a lot more passion, and we can fight for each other.”
For Henriquez, being a captain means helping keep the group moving in the right direction.
“Being one of the captains of this team means a lot to me,” Henriquez said. “This is a great squad. I think I can help guide us in the right direction. Everyone on this team is equal; no one is better than anyone else.”
Just two games into the season, the Colonels know there is still plenty of soccer ahead. Their 1-0-1 start, however, has given them an early sign that this season could look different from the last.
For Henriquez, Monday’s comeback showed what South can do when the team stays together.
“Tonight’s game showed me that we really do care; we care so much about it,” Henriquez said. “This really meant the world to me. The way we fought our way back from being down, it shows the fight in us.”
