Old Saybrook Looking to Defend its Two Titles from Last Year

It’s always a challenge to defend a championship crown. This year, the Old Saybrook boys’ soccer team, led by Head Coach Steve Waters, is ready to hit the pitch in its quest to defend the Shoreline Conference and Class S state titles that the Rams won last season. Coach Waters knows that it will take a lot of hard work and dedication from Old Saybrook’s players in order to get the job done.

The Old Saybrook boys’ soccer squad is hosting Portland for its season opener on Friday, Sept. 9. The Rams will then play a home game versus Hale-Ray on Tuesday, Sept. 13, followed by a contest at Valley Regional for their first road game of the year on Thursday, Sept. 15.

Last season, Old Saybrook shared the Shoreline Conference title with Morgan after the two clubs played to a 1-1 tie in the league final. Old Saybrook then went on a magical run in the Class S State Tournament that saw the Rams capture their third-straight state title with a 4-1 overtime win versus Canton in the final, finishing the year with an overall record of 19-0-3.

Coach Waters, the all-time winningest head coach among Connecticut high school boys’ soccer coaches with 584 career victories, thinks there is a good chance that the Rams’ hunger from last year will carry over into the 2022 season. It won’t be easy, but with a familiar group of players leading the way on a game-by-game basis, Coach Waters believes that the potential is there for Old Saybrook to have another memorable campaign.

“[Success] should carry into the season, but you want it to carry in at the next level and still remain positive,” Waters said. “If you drop a game, players can get frustrated with that. You want to avoid that and have the team work through any negative stuff pretty early.”

Old Saybrook saw senior captains Nick Rothman and Nicholas Scalzo graduate from last year’s team, along with starting goalkeeper Ryan Slisz. Coach Waters heavily relied on Rothman’s drive and Scalzo’s speed on the field. Waters also knows that the Rams have some pretty big shoes to fill in goal with Slisz’s departure.

“We lose our goaltender from last year in Ryan Slisz. We were uncertain what was going to happen this year, but we do have four capable goalkeepers now that we weren’t expecting in,” said Waters. “They’re looking pretty good right now.”

Coach Waters has yet to name any captains for the 2022 season, but he’s expecting to receive solid leadership from his core group of returning players. Waters will be looking to people like seniors Bradley Kulmann and Cam DeAngelo to lead the Rams alongside juniors Kevin DeCapua and Brayden Cody this season. Last year, DeAngelo and DeCapua made the All-Shoreline Conference First Team after netting 28 and 18 goals, respectively, for Old Saybrook. Kulmann garnered All-Shoreline Conference Second Team accolades, while Cody earned All-Shoreline Conference Honorable Mention.

The Rams’ upperclassmen have experienced a great deal of success throughout their careers. Coach Waters wants to see those athletes guide Old Saybrook’s younger players as the team plays through a new fall season.

“They’re good, competitive players. I’ve been with them since they were freshmen,” Waters said. “They’ve responded very well to training, and a core of those guys came in very fit and very ready to take on the season and defend their championships from last year.”

Coach Waters believes that Old Saybrook will once again be an explosive and dynamic squad on offense this year. DeAngelo and DeCapua will be counted on to produce as strikers for the Rams. Old Saybrook’s midfield—led by Kulmann, Cody, senior Jack Forrestt, and senior Peter Wisalowski—will be expected to carry the play up and down the field smoothly.

“Our midfield is coming with some experience and some talented players. It’s very valuable to have our midfielders be able to string the game together for us and run the field,” said Waters. “We look like we have enough midfielders to be able to do that.”

On the defensive end, Coach Waters is looking for strong seasons from juniors Drew Kulmann and Lucas Webb. Waters hasn’t locked in all the positions just yet, but he’s hoping for Old Saybrook to present a stable corps on defense when the Rams take the field for their season opener.

“We have to maneuver around a little bit. We have to definitely tighten up our defense,” Waters said. “We’ve got to get that determination in the mindset of our returning and new defenders.”

Coach Waters is also eager to see what sophomore Liam Roberts and freshman Joshua Roslonek can bring to the field for the Rams this season. Roberts played well at the JV level last year, while Roslonek has been impressive by sticking with Old Saybrook’s top players during preseason workouts.

As the 2022 season quickly approaches, Coach Waters and company are anticipating some stiff competition with the Shoreline Conference this year. With a nice mix of seasoned veterans and younger players on the roster, the Rams are ready to give it their best effort as they strive to defend their two titles.

“We’ve got a lot of good returning players, so we’re just looking to get that synergy and take on our opponents this year,” said Waters. “It’s a one-game-at-a-time season.”