by Andres Picon
With the start of the new school year also came several changes in the coaching staffs for the boys and girls soccer teams. After 12 years of coaching the boys varsity soccer team, Coach Patrick DiBenedetto has switched teams and returned to a familiar position as the coach for the girls varsity soccer team, taking over for former coach Ernest Harmon. DiBenedetto was replaced by former boys junior varsity coach Mr. Bernard Keating. Taking his place as the boys JV coach is Dr. Jeffrey Rieck.
In the past, when girls and boys soccer played during different seasons, Mr. D was able to coach both. However in 2006, the girls soccer season switched to the fall, making it impossible for DiBenedetto to coach both teams. DiBenedetto said that at that time he “had to make a tough decision.” He decided to continue coaching the boys team in the fall and to start coaching the varsity girls lacrosse team in the spring in place of varsity girls soccer.
After the 2014 varsity boys soccer season, 10 out of 11 starters on the team graduated. Mr. DiBenedetto saw this as an opportunity to start fresh with a new team. “Since [the graduates] consisted of the majority of the team, the time was appropriate if I had wanted to apply for the girls coaching position since it wouldn’t impact a large amount of returning players.”
Reflecting on his decision, he stated, “I’ve really enjoyed coaching the boys for the past 12 years and I am excited for this opportunity to coach the girls again.” He also noted that the transition process for him has been very smooth, citing the collective effort that the team has put forth in preparation for the season.
DiBenedetto’s replacement, Coach Keating, had coached the boys JV soccer team for several seasons. Now, as the coach of the varsity boys team, Keating is pushing the team to compete as well as they can.
Dr. Rieck, who has coached various age groups since 1987, took over for Keating as the boys JV coach. Before this year, he had coached boys modified soccer. Regarding his coaching transition, Rieck says that there are some challenges. Player injuries, extreme heat, and the struggle of sharing the fields with all the school’s soccer teams hasn’t made the transition easy. However, he is optimistic, saying, “We are learning and making progress and hopefully will see the fruits of our work soon.”
Despite losing many key players, Coach Keating wants this year’s varsity team to be one that the school and the whole town can be proud of.
Photo courtesy of Rich Caldropoli.
