Harvey Soccer Builds On Strong Senior Class

LEWISBORO, N.Y. - The Harvey School boys and girls soccer teams will open the 2012 fall season next week with renewed optimism with a strong group of seniors leading the way.

The Cavaliers boys come off a 4-6-2 season with senior captains Will Walant and David Mandra and classmate Moustafa Fawzy taking leadership roles.

“The team is eager to test itself in competition," Cavaliers head coach Alex Morse said after three weeks of practice. "I am confident that if we continue to progress, we will be a very difficult team to play against."

Mandra leads the offense and Walant is the last line of defense in goal. Junior midfielder Jake Cohn is a field leader with Ben Walant and Matt McMorrow anchoring the defensive backfield. Newcomers Brian Silva, Robert Van Raamsdonk and Harry Solomon will help on offense.

Juniors Charlie Seider, Brad Browne and Cory Eisenband are up from last year's junior varsity team and the coaching staff hopes the mix of seniors and underclassmen will result in a winning season.

“We hope to gel as quickly as possible as a team,” Morse said. "After losing 11 seniors from last year’s team, many roles need to be filled by players that are new to the varsity level."

The Cavaliers, who play in the Hudson Valley Athletic League, will also compete in a newly-created league in the Westchester area that will include The Masters School, EF International and the French American School.

The Harvey School girls team also returns a talented group of seniors who hope to improve on last year's 5-5-2 record.

Forward Rane Prieto, a returning two-year starter, leads the offense and sweeper Chelsea Finkel and goalkeeper Abby Hassett key the defense. Chinasa Nwokocha is back as the team's lead midfielder.

The junior class is filled with skilled defensive players, including returning player Channa Ennis, Shelley Pitterson, Emily Pollack and stopper Julia Peraglia. Newcomers Darcy Clifford and Brittany Smith will team with Melissa Wyman at midfield and forward to put pressure on opposing defenses.

Sophomores returning from last year include Tiaja Downer and Julia Kravitz. Brianna Cummings and Vanessa Mackiewicz and newcomer Briana Frieri. Freshmen Ava Gurman, Aila Prieto, Jasmine Brouwer, Julia DeNigris, and eighth-grader JoJo Greenwood fill the bench.

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