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By Mike Flanagan
Hometown Weekly Sports Editor
After a 9-5-4 regular season and a gut-wrenching 1-0 defeat to TVL rival Norton in the Division III South sectionals last November, Dover-Sherborn boys soccer enters the 2019 season ready and motivated.
With John Muckstadt departing to play at Colgate, the DS backfield is going to look a lot different in 2019 than it did a season ago. However, with Colgate commit Adam Fam back as a senior co-captain, alongside senior midfielder George Beninati and senior goalie Hans Heer, the Raiders enter the season confident they’ll be able to make a lot of noise in the TVL, and later on in the state tournament.
However, senior striker Erik Niit says that before the Raiders can even think about achieving postseason success, they must come together as one.
“Our main goal as a team this season is to build unity,” said Niit. “Our captains, especially [Adam] Fam, are great leaders, and I believe they will do a great job. The basis of this unity is hard work, so every man must be giving it his all, 24/7.”
One source of motivation this season for the Raiders will be washing away the sour taste of last year’s tough finish at Norton. Niit says that the success DS has had in other sports, such as lacrosse and basketball, throughout the past year should carry over onto the soccer pitch this fall.
“We certainly have a bitter taste in our mouths after losing to Norton,” said Niit. “However, this taste will serve as motivation going forward. A couple of guys on the team won state championships in lacrosse and basketball and know that it takes hard work. Thus, the loss to Norton, combined with guys who are experienced in having playoff success, will bring about a great determined aura.”
For funny and insightful sports analysis, follow Mike Flanagan on his personal Twitter @fLAno0.
