Senior captain, Charlie Kinnersley in the Bears round two playoff game against Colchester.
August marks the beginning of Brattleboro Union High School's (BUHS) soccer season. Their previous season ended with the Bears finishing 10-3-1. They took down Bellows Free Academy in a 2-0 game in the first round, but ultimately lost in a nail-biting 3-1 game to the Colchester Lakers in the second.
The Bears had to say goodbye to six seniors, including Ozmond VanHendrick, one of Vermont's best players. VanHendrick contributed sixteen goals to the 2023-24 season.
The projected starting lineup is: senior Sam Bogart in goal, senior Dylan Holmes at left back, junior Colby Weaver at left center back, senior Rowan Lonergan at right center back, junior Ben Bibimba at right back, senior Teo Ogden at right center defensive midfielder, senior Orion Masterson at left defensive midfielder, sophomore Eason DeMarsico at right attacking midfielder, senior Jackson Pals at center attacking midfielder, senior Charlie Kinnersley at left attacking midfielder, and junior Gordie Kalill at striker. Seniors off the bench include Levi Tabachnick, Stefan Tallini, and David Rupard.
Senior, Jackson Pals in a regular season game against Burr and Burton
“I’m quite confident in our roster,” Bogart said. “ Especially due to the amount of varsity experience we all have now, and the amount of work we’ve put in over the course of the summer. We’re up to the task.”
“It’s nice to play on a team where I can feel confident that we’ll be able to compete with anyone,” Tabachnick said.
When asked what the state of Vermont should know about this Bears team, captain Charlie Kinnersley said, “We have a new head coach in Chris Brewer, and we’re creating a new system and dynamic within the team. It’s the most talented squad I’ve been a part of in my four years with this program. We have the skill to challenge any team, and we’re going to go for it this season. We’re looking to accomplish some big things, and I think we can do it.”
Kinnersley is currently the only official captain, but will be one of three when the official season comes around. Kinnersley has been a part of the BUHS varsity progman for all of his four years of high school. He continues to get better every year. Kinnersley’s senior year will be one to remember.
“What makes this soccer team special this year,” Ogden said, “is the amount of work returning and new players are putting in to be ready for the season. We haven’t had this many people at summer scrimmages and conditioning in a long time. This all looks very promising,” Ogden said.
Senior, Teo Ogden in the Bears round two playoff game against Colchester.
The BUHS Bears roster is not just made up of juniors and seniors. A player to look out for is sophomore Eason DeMarsico. DeMarsico is the youngest starter on the team. He received some playing time last year as a freshman on varsity, but is now able to show what he can really do. Having DeMarsico for three more years will be beneficial for the Bears Organization.
Tryouts begin August 15th, which kicks off the 2024-2025 season. The Bears are looking to make a championship run this year, and the team believes they can make that happen.
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