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By Michael Flanagan
Hometown Weekly Sports Editor
The 2017 season ended in bitter heartbreak for the Wellesley High School boys varsity soccer team, surrendering a late lead in stoppage time before falling in penalty kicks to Weymouth in the Division I South quarterfinals.
However, with reigning Division I Coach of the Year Tim Mason still calling the shots and several big names coming back, the Raiders hold high expectations for the upcoming season. Wellesley will look to improve upon its 13-2-1 record while making a deeper push into the state tournament later this fall.
“The conference is strong again, like always,” said Wellesley assistant Chris DiCecca. “We’re excited to get to work, should be a really fun year.“
The 2018 Raiders will be led by a quadrant of senior captains in keeper Anders Pineau, who has served as the team’s starter ever since his sophomore year, defender Nick Kolb, brother and forward Chris Kolb, and midfielder Owen DeOliveira.
Other key impact players returning for the Raiders on defense this season are junior Will Manning, junior Liam Jensen, junior Graham Raveret, junior Kevin Mahoney, senior keeper Ethan Liss-Roy, and senior Jared Diamond.
At midfield, Wellesley is equally as stacked with the returns of junior Brendan Claire, junior Hugh Parker, junior Oscar Haeberlein, and senior Adam Winkleman.
Along with Chris Kolb, Wellesley also returns several key pieces to their forward corps in senior P.J. Genta and junior Daniel Frei, both of whom contributed significantly a season ago.
Wellesley will get the chance to avenge their postseason defeat to Weymouth right out of the gate, as the Raiders host the Wildcats on September 5 for their season-opener.
For funny and incisive sports analysis, follow Mike Flanagan on his personal Twitter at @fLAno0.
