by Brent Hovey

Reporter

Aurora -- The Greenmen boys soccer program has quietly become one of the best in the area and arguably the best at AHS in the last four years, rivaling the football program.

Head coach Chris Gentille, entering his 10th season, said that is because of the program that has been established at all the schools, youth camps and club teams.

In 2007, the Greenmen posted a 14-3-2 record, highlighted by wins over several teams ranked in the top 10 in the state, but overshadowed by a loss to Chagrin Falls in the district finals, a game Gentille was confident they'd win.

Aurora lost nine seniors from last year, but only four starters. Seventeen of the 23 players on the varsity this year have some varsity experience, and thus Gentille expects the trend of good soccer to continue.

"We have high expectations," he said. "We shouldn't have a down year with this program. Our goal is to always be one of the top teams in the area.

"Since 2004, we've done that. We haven't always gone as far as we'd like, but we've been a very good team."

During the offseason and preseason, Gentille learned that possession is going to be key to the level of success his team will have.

"IF WE CAN possess, if we can control the ball, control the tempo, we're going to be successful," he said. "We have a bunch of guys who can score. We have great team defense. We have great speed."

Offensively, Aurora will be led by senior Davey Moore, who paced the team in points last year with 17 goals and 10 assists enroute to earning third team All-Ohio honors.

"Not many team are fortunate enough to have someone with his speed, his scoring potential and his vision," said Gentille. "He can take over the game and still get his teammates involved."

While Moore will lead the offense, senior standout Mark Connell anchors the defense.

"He adds a presence and stability back there," said Gentille. "You just don't see him make a mistake."

Flanking Connell will be senior Dillon Timberlake and junior Mike Prochaska, both of whom started the majority of games last year.

Senior Dillon Ekstrand is recovering from a nasty high ankle sprain, but is expected back by the second week of the season and will hold down the center defender spot.

Also seeing time on defense will be junior George Kimson, sophomore David Wills and freshmen Mark Carbone and Jeff Smith.

Seniors Andrew Bluhm and Sean Black round out the defensive group.

AURORA HAS a talented group of players in the midfield. Senior SanJeen Jina and Brian Potocnick will be there.

On the wings will be some combination of seniors Steven Melfi and Jamal Simmons, junior Ben Clossin and Swedish exchange student Jesper Sandsjoe. Ryan Doherty and David Nemeth are reserve midfielders.

Simmons also will play up top, attacking with Moore at times. But Moore's regular counterpoint will be freshman Michael Melfi.

Gentille said the two of them have played really well together and it could be an explosive combination.

In goal is junior Chris Minite, who won the job a few games into last season. He will be pushed by junior Mike McVeigh, who had a standout season on a JV team that went 16-1-1.

"We have a very team-oriented squad this year," said Gentille. "Individually, they are very talented, but they are committed to working as a unit."

The boys had the privilege of playing the first athletic contest on the newly- turfed InkStop Field at Veterans Stadium.

The season opener took place Aug. 18 against Notre Dame Cathedral Latin, but results were not available at press time.

The Greenmen are home Aug. 23 against Lake Catholic.

E-mail: bhovey@recordpub.com

Phone: 330-688-0088 ext. 3115