Coming off a 14-3-2 season, the Belmont Hill soccer team is poised to make another run at the ISL title in the 2016 season. With 14 total returning players and seven returning starters, the 2016 team has a large part of the roster that was so successful last year. The success of last year, which included a second place ISL finish, depended significantly on defending, as Belmont Hill only allowed nine goals in 15 ISL games. With Captain and All-State Center Back Chip Daley graduated, the defensive duties will fall mainly on the two Co-Captains this year, Goalkeeper Chris Kingston and Center Back Robert Williamson. In addition to defense, goalscoring will play a huge role in the success of the soccer team this season. The top two scorers from last year, Evan Ricci (10 goals, 3 assists) and Robbie Cronin (7 goals, 3 assists) are both returning for their final season at Belmont Hill, and if they can continue their incredible goalscoring form, they can lead Belmont Hill into the NEPSAC tournament for the second consecutive year. The soccer team started off with notable wins over A schools Bridgton Academy (6-0), and Phillips Exeter (2-0), both important wins when it comes to the NEPSAC Class A tournament at the end of the year. Some of the toughest tests this season will come from the ISL defending champions Milton (October 29th), and Lawrence Academy (November 4th), who finished 3rd in the ISL last year. If Belmont Hill soccer can carry over the same intensity and success from last year, they have a very real chance to win the ISL championship, and make a deep postseason run in the NEPSAC tournament. As Captain Robert Williamson said, “I know we have the talent to win the ISL, it’s just a matter of being consistent and showing up and working hard every day of the season.”
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