To get a glimpse of what might be in store for the Manchester Essex boys soccer team in 2024, it might help to turn the clock back to the team’s play during the first round of the 2023 MIAA Tournament.
During last year’s 4-1 Hornet victory over Tri-County, Sammy Bothwell earned a hattrick, scoring three of the team’s goals. Finn Birkeland, Owen Oliver-Meehan and Ali Erdogan all assisted on those goals, with Erdogan adding a score of his own in the contest. Hayden Spencer and Erdogan were crucial in controlling possession and setting pace for the Hornets in this game, one that put Manchester Essex in the MIAA Div. 4 Round of 32.
“Always a good experience to play in the state tournament,” says Manchester Essex coach Rob Bilsbury. “We also played extremely well in that next round in a 2-0 loss to the number three seed Hampshire Regional.”
The Hornets’ tourney run was admittedly short after that – Manchester Essex was knocked out by three-seed Hampshire Regional in a well-fought, close contest – those aforementioned key players from that game are back in 2024 and hoping to build in what they accomplished last year and get back to the tournament for another crack at contention in Div. 4.
Central to those hopes are the team’s captains, including center back Birkeland, striker Bothwell and center midfielders Erdogan and Spencer.
“Finn Birkeland [has] a high soccer IQ, is an elite one-on-one defender and visionary passer into the attacking third,” explains Bilsbury. “Sammy Bothwell, insane control of the ball and finishing, but equally brilliant facilitating others. Ali Erdogan brings calm, possessing energy to the entire team, which is essential to how we play.
He adds: “Hayden Spencer is our workhorse. He wins headers and simply never stops pressuring and turning over the ball from opponents.”
The captains aren’t the only key returnees.
“In addition to the four captains, Owen Olivier Meehan is an impactful center back who can also play up top,” says Bilsbury. “Imir Mustafa is a dynamic winger who can unbalance defenses. Charlie Langendorf is a physical center middie who has a huge soccer mind and knows what teams are trying to do and also how to tactically take that away.
Chase Koeplin is a speedy wing midfielder who is excellent in transition in both directions. Goalkeeper Keegan Brooks is not only an athletic shot-stopper but has the feet of a center middie. Outside backs Chalie Rubens and Charlie Athanas are outstanding one-on-one defenders who can also jump into the attack.”
Players who are new to the team and will take on large roles include Luke Renzi and Davi Oliveira.
“Two new players for us this season are Luke Renzi, who is a speedy and talented striker who brings a high work rate to the position,” explains Bilsbury. “Davi Oliveira is a feisty on ball defender.”
With a high level of familiarity between the returning players, this group should be able to lean on its ability to control possession and maximize scoring opportunities.
“Our strength is our ability to play together, possess the ball and create in rhythm attacking chances,” says Bilsbury. “We are taking steps to address our lack of physicality on set pieces.”
The Hornets are scheduled to begin the season at home against Cape Ann League rival Hamilton-Wenham on September 3 at Hyland Field (4 p.m.), followed by an away match against Amesbury on September 5, a home game against Ipswich on September 10 and a road game versus Pentucket on September 12.
