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11/15/2023 10:44 AMOld Saybrook boys’ soccer has had a history of success. Coming off of a 2022 campaign in which the Rams claimed their fourth-straight Class S state title, the group of athletes that returned to the fold this season were determined to carry that success over, something they’ve very much accomplished on the field.
On Nov. 3, the Rams earned the Shoreline Conference Championship crown by recording a 4-0 shutout win over East Hampton in the finals. Despite having won four consecutive state titles, the outright Shoreline victory was the first for the squad since 2016.
Old Saybrook earned the No. 1 seed in the Shoreline Conference Tournament after an undefeated regular season that left them with a 11-0-1 record. The Rams defeated No. 5 Portland 2-0 to reach the finals.
Old Saybrook Head Coach Steve Waters views the conference title as a valuable measuring stick for what the team has accomplished this season, especially with the state tournament in full swing. “It’s a good, positive inflection on where we came from and where we’re headed,” said Waters. “It gives you some confidence in how your game is right now.”
Old Saybrook and East Hampton are familiar opponents, having faced off last fall in the Class S state title game, a contest that the Rams won 2-0 on a cold, windy field in Hartford. Old Saybrook’s two scores were hard-fought, and much of the second half was a defensive stalemate. This year in the conference championship matchup, senior captains Kevin DeCapua and Brayden Cody scored early and often, ensuring there would be no doubt they would walk away with the victory.
Cody opened the scoring with a rocket of a goal in the first half to give Old Saybrook the 1-0 lead. Waters viewed this goal as a key message early on in the contest.
“(Brayden) opened the scoring up Friday night with a left-footed thud…it was a booming kick that went over the keeper’s hands and under the bar, it sent a statement to both teams that we’re here, we’re ready to play.”
From there, DeCapua shined, scoring three times to put the game well out of reach and secure the tournament title for the Rams. DeCapua’s hat trick added to his record-breaking season, in which he earned Player of the Year honors. He recognized the accomplishment, but passed the credit to his teammates.
“To be able to achieve a hat trick during a final is something many dream of,” said DeCapua. “But it wouldn’t have been possible without my team. I give so much credit to our program for my successes, they’ve helped me reach where I am today, and I can’t thank them enough.”
Anchoring the Rams defense all season has been senior captain and goalkeeper London Sweeney. Sweeney earned Keeper of the Year honors in the conference, coming off a junior year in which he won the MVP of the state title game. Waters pointed to his technical skills as the area he improved most, boosting London to the next level in his senior year.
“He committed himself to get better than last year,” said Waters. “He got himself more attuned in his decision making and his technical application of the ball, as well as his positioning.”
Sweeney battled an injury during the winter’s basketball season that left him unable to train. He made it a mission to hit the ground running as soon as his health allowed, with clear goals in mind for the upcoming soccer season.
“I targeted certain things I wasn’t very strong in and focused to get better in every little thing,” said Sweeney. “As a keeper, everything has to be perfect, if not very close to it. Mistakes or misjudgments can cost the team a goal against us, or even losing the game. I made it my goal over the summer that I wanted to get Keeper of the Year, and that was my motivation all season.”
Sweeney credits the defense in front of him for routinely making his job easier and solidifying the Old Saybrook defense, which produced nine shutouts this season.
“My back line is always so important,” said Sweeney. “Those four make crucial stops and plays, which keep me from having to make a lot of decisions every game. Our defense this year has been on the top of their game, and is only getting better as we’ve gone on.”
As the Rams turn their attention toward the state tournament, they find themselves in familiar territory as they look to win a fifth straight championship. However, this year they’ll look to do so from the No. 1 seed line, something they have not done in the previous four tournament runs. Old Saybrook earned additional time off with the first round bye, and used it to prepare for a bracket filled with talented teams.
“We’ll be the top ranked team, but the S tournament is filled with quality teams,” Waters said. “I don’t change very much, the only thing that changes is the opponent. We may tactically tweak things to play a particular opponent. We’ve been doing that all season.”
The No. 1 seed also brings with it the pressure of expectations, especially for a program with so much recent success. This is a reality that the whole roster is ready for.
“Being the No. 1 seed means we have a target on our back,” said DeCapua. “We’ve known that since the beginning of the season, and we are prepared for anything that comes our way. I can speak on behalf of the team, we are ready.”
Waters is assisted on the sidelines by Assistant Coach Peter Sherba, and Team Manager Peter Rothman.
The Old Saybrook roster is comprised of senior captains Kevin DeCapua, Brayden Cody, and London Sweeney; and additional seniors Drew Kulmann, Rylan Murphy, Jacob Speed, Lucas Webb and Jonathan Bermeo; juniors Brendan Cassella, Jack Morin, Liam Roberts, Felipe Dutra, and Carlos Velez Torres; sophomores Casey DeAngelo, Ethan Terribile, Nicholas Dutra, Joao Victor Contin, Ryan Brodeur, Joshua Roslonek, and Jhonny Orosco; and freshmen Griffen Cadley, Christian Dutra, Luciano Girardi, Wyatt Parker, Mitchell Kawicki, Sam Dutra, Dylan Lane, Erick Lopez Peralta, Trevyn Desmond, and Shawn Ludwig.