NAUGATUCK — The Naugatuck boys soccer team comes into the season looking to defend its Naugatuck Valley League title. That is nothing new for a team that has played in the NVL championship game 14 times in the last 17 seasons and has 12 titles to show for it.
The Greyhounds go into each season either defending a title or chasing a title, and it all starts with the man at the controls. Head coach Art Nunes enters his 20th season on the Naugatuck sidelines sporting a 300-49-20 record and two state titles.
Following each successful season coach Nunes and his staff are left to try to mold another formidable team after losing large numbers of seniors. But, year in and year out players developed along the way are more than ready to step in and continue one of the strongest soccer traditions in the state.
The Greyhounds graduated 10 seniors and seven starters from last year’s squad that went 20-1. The only loss came in the second round of the Class L state tournament. But, the cupboard is never empty for Naugatuck soccer.
“We are in pretty good shape coming into the season,” Nunes said. “We are still getting through some injuries and Danny Silva is coming along from a broken leg last year. There is always a little bit of a transition after losing a large group of seniors, but the guys coming back know the process and the tradition and they are more than ready to step into those roles.”
Naugatuck comes into this season minus their go-to guy Adam Branco — the Greyhounds’ all-time leading scorer who earned All-NVL, All-State and All-New England honors — along with three-quarters of the defense.
So what makes Naugatuck a target on every opponent’s schedule? Returning senior goalie Enzo Pereira, who has two years under his belt and 20 career shutouts, for starters.
“We are fortunate to have a player like Enzo in the net for us. He’s a two-year starter and has been working seven days a week in the offseason. Putting in that kind of effort he is going to be the stability that we need,” Nunes said.
Two-time All Copper Division defender and senior captain Tyler Saad will anchor the defense, which allowed just 15 goals last season in 21 games.
“Tyler is without a doubt one of the best players in the league but he doesn’t get the recognition he deserves because of the position he plays. But we would not be where we are without him,” Nunes said.
If opponents are hoping that the Greyhounds have lost their way to the net with the loss of Branco, they will be sadly mistaken. Naugatuck returns two-time All-NVL and senior captain forward Ygor Silva, All-Copper senior Joey Martins and last year’s second leading scorer senior Silva to try and match the 85 goals that rippled the net last season.
Several players gained experience last year in back up roles and will be relied on to step into starting positions. Seniors Diogo Cruz, Abdul Gadoush and Dan Martins will look to make the seamless transition, along with junior captain Andrew Carrol on defense and juniors Mike Campos, Adam Antunes and Felipe Dutra. Sophomores Candido Carelo and David Ruela have improved their game as well.
“Senior Dan Martins came back this season and we are looking forward to what he can bring to the field,” Nunes said. “Other players like Campos, Gadoush and Cruz have shown a steady improvement and they are eager to make their mark. We enter every season trying to maintain the strong Naugatuck soccer tradition.”
Nunes knows staying on top won’t be easy.
“With the graduation losses around the league it will be difficult for the top teams to maintain their place in the standings,” he said. “The middle of the pack is returning a lot of their starters and teams like Kennedy, Crosby and Wilby are going to be very competitive.
“The addition of Oxford and the new three division lineup getting to the NVL tournament will be a lot more difficult. The race to the tournament will prove to be a lot more interesting as the league is wide open this year.”
Naugatuck will kick off the season on Sept. 9 at Woodland at 3:30 p.m. The Greyhounds will be at home Sept. 11 against NVL rival Watertown at 6 p.m., before traveling to Southbury Sept. 13 to take on the SWC powerhouse Pomperaug at 1 p.m.
