By RUSSELL JONES
The Proctor boys’ soccer team, currently 3-0, is young but relatively experienced — only 3 seniors are back to lead the team this year — but coach Chad Wilson feels his program is building nicely. They have 19 players on the team, up from 14 last season.
“This is the first year since 2014 that we’re not starting an 8th grader on the varsity squad,” Wilson said. “We’re returning most of our players from last year.”
Indeed, the Phantoms return eight of 11 starters from a squad that went 5-7-2 on the season and were knocked out of the playoffs in the second round by Rivendell.
The team has both of their strikers back with another year of experience under their belts and Wilson said they are strong in the backfield.
“We’ll be strongest on defense,” he said. “We’re returning all four of our defenders and we’ll be solid.”
The players all know each other and have played together extensively, which Wilson feels will help in the upcoming season.
“Our team speed is quick, especially up top and in the back,” the sixth-year Proctor head coach said. “We are a pretty young team, though, so the first few games we’re just kind of trying to get a feel for it.”They began their season with a 7-2 victory over Mount St. Joseph’s on Saturday, Aug. 31. The Phantoms defeated Thetford by a score of 2-0 and Long Trail, 5-0 the following week.
