This year’s Freedom boys soccer team couldn’t be any more stacked than it is, having the good fortune to return 17 varsity players, 10 of 11 starters, its top three goal scorers and its entire backline from last year’s district semifinalist team.

“This group has a lot of experience as many of them have been playing together on varsity for the last three years,” said Patriot head coach Matt Reightler. “We are confident that we have an explosive attack that is going to punish defenses this season which will be led by senior captains Sebastian Garces (Midfileld) and Peter Tichy (Midfield). Our defense is stout and organized while anchored by senior defender Austin Hoffert who is one of the top defenders within the district.”

Other key returners include seniors Michael Krents (Midfield), Blaine MacIlroy (Defense), Vincenzo Rosete (Defense), juniors Owen Lynn (Defense) and Tristan Willey (Goalie), and sophomore Corey James (Forward).

“We have more depth than I ever have been privileged to have over the last five years, and this is going to allow us to show many different tactics throughout a game,” Reightler said.

Newcomers to watch are freshmen Michael Deluhery (Midfield), Connor Blake (Defense), Ryan Freeman-Nield (Forward), Alejandro Herrera (Midfield), and Brady Sutton (Midfield).

“We have a lot of experience within this team but we will be relying on a strong freshman class to make an impact immediately at the varsity level. The rate to which these young players adapt will be important to our success,” said Reightler. “This team has done a great job at incorporating our young players and pushing them to grow. We are going to focus on ensuring their playing time early in the year to make sure they are ready when the big games arrive.”

Since the Lehigh Valley Summer Soccer League was canceled due to COVID concerns, the Pates focused primarily on team trainings and participated in two summer tournaments: one at Pennridge High School and the other at Keystone College, ending their summer play with two tournament titles and an overall record of 8-0-1 while scoring 28 goals and conceding only two.

“This team is truly something special this year. We have strength and talent in every position on the field and a strong belief that we can beat any team we play this year,” Coach Reightler said. “Our expectations are trophies this year with a strong state title run. We are most looking forward to our first regular season game of the year as this group has been ready to start showing what they are going to bring this year.”

Freedom’s first scrimmage on Aug. 24 resulted in a 2-1 victory over Phillipsburg.

“We are very excited to have an 18-game schedule this year where we will get back to playing teams outside of the county,” said Reightler. “We want to be challenged as much as possible this year and be forced to adapt to the various play styles of teams throughout the league. We have high aspirations for this season and returning to playing teams outside of the county will help us to improve.”