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It was a plethora of riches for Winchester High boys soccer coach Vin Musto, when practice opened up on Aug. 24. A total of 110 prospective players showed up for tryouts, but even with three teams in the program, cuts had to be made.
It’s a double edge sword for coaches. They certainly don’t want to be in that position, but sometimes there’s no choice. Musto was eventually able to whittle it down to 72 players, spread out over the three teams.
The recent success of the varsity team has something to do with the program’s popularity.
Last year, for instance, as the 28th seed in Division 1, the Red & Black won state tournament games against Andover (1-0) and New Bedford (2-1), only to lose to Brookline, 3-2 in the Sweet 16. To get to that point, they had to beat the fifth-seeded Whalers in the Round of 32.
Musto doesn’t set any goals, preferring to let the season dictate the team’s success.
“Our program's culture is without expectations,” he said. “We expect nothing and earn everything, and this year we have a great mix of veteran leadership and first-year ambition.”
Cole Queenan is back as a second-year captain, and this year he will be joined by goalie Will Brown, backs Ronan O’Hara and Sam Crafts, and midfielder Brady Cedrone.
But among the varsity newcomers this year is junior Finn O’Brien, who has done well so far, according to the coach. O’Brien currently starts at center back.
Musto knows that the Middlesex League is always competitive from top to bottom.
“Every team in this league is a team to beat,” the Winchester coach said. “Last year was evidence of that. The difference between winning, tying or losing in this league is the difference between finishing first or third. We are all so close in terms of talent.”
With that said, the Winchester boys have won their first two games, and have dominated both opponents to the tune of 10-1. Stoneham was the first victim in the season opener on Sept. 9, losing 5-1. Then, almost a week later in the home opener, Woburn fell, 5-0.
Lachlan Archer scored the first goal against Stoneham from Brady Cedrone. Destin Liu chipped in with the second score assisted by Queenan. Liu scored again, this time set up by Faris Ebeid Queenan got into the scoring act from Ebeid. Cedrone closed out the scoring after teaming up with Queenan to account for the fifth marker.
Brown made his one and only save in the game on a penalty kick to help secure the shutout.
After the win over Woburn, the Red & Black were scheduled to take on non-league Beverly at home on Sept. 19, before welcoming Melrose to Knowlton on Wednesday, Sept. 23, for a league game starting at 4:15 p.m.
Joe McConnell is a longtime, award-winning sports editor for numerous North Shore publications. He began covering Winchester sports for the News in November 2024 and is currently its Sports Editor. He can be reached at editor@winchesternews.org.
