Roy-Hart preps to defend N-O soccer titles

Photos by Cheryl Wertman – The Roy-Hart boys veteran group includes, in front, Jack Johnson, Dawson Draper and Caleb Verratti. In back are Josh Kennedy, Rem Albee, Ethan Kuzma, Noah Bartholomew and Jayden Swygert. Missing is Landen Guild.

For the third straight year both the Roy-Hart boys and girls soccer teams captured Niagara-Orleans League championships last fall.

The Rams went 10-0 to claim the crown outright while the Lady Rams shared the title with Wilson at 9-1.

Both teams are prepping to defend their titles looking to fill key holes caused by graduation losses.

Three-time first team N-O All-League honoree and two-time Player of the Year Peter Martillotta, who scored a school record 40 goals, heads the Rams graduation losses which also includes first team defender Aiden Guild, second team goalie Zack Walker and Honorable Mention defender Andrew Waters.

Anchoring the Rams returning contingent are first team All-League honorees seniors Rem Albee (Midfielder) and Landen Guild (Defender), second team pick senior Caleb Verratti (Defender) along with Honorable Mention selections senior Ethan Kuzma (Defender) and junior Braden Ricker (Midfielder). Albee had 7 goals and 18 assists and Guild 8 goals and 6 assists.

The Rams returnees also include seniors Noah Bartholomew (Goalie), Dawson Draper (Defender), Jack Johnson (Forward), Josh Kennedy (Defender) and Jayden Swygert (Forward) along with juniors Ryan Armel (Defender) and Josiah Rodrigues (Midfielder).

“We should be solid,” said Coach Barry Webber. “We’ve got a good core group and lots of speed so if we can get some goals we should be very competitive,”

The Rams will begin defense of their N-O title a Wilson on September 7.

The Lady Rams veteran contingent includes, in front, Madison DiNieri, Sophia Santella and Alexis Capen. In back are Ali Ausman, Allie Trombley, Emma Marsillo, Kaylie Churchill, Ruth Walker, Kaitlin Mettler and Sophia Allee.

The Roy-Hart girls squad lost six N-O All-Leaguers including first team honorees Grace Parker (Midfielder), Amelia Konsanty (Defender) and Nadia White (Midfielder) along with second team picks Ada Livergood (Defender) and Grace Trombley (Forward) and Honorable Mention selection Alexis Seib (Defender).

Junior Kaitlin Mettler, a two-time first team N-O All-League selection and last year’s Player of the Year who had 30 goals and 9 assists, heads the Lady Rams veteran group which also includes seniors Sophia Allee (Forward), Madison DiNieri (Defender/Midfield), Emma Marsillo (Defender/Goalie) and Sophia Santella (Goalie); juniors Allie Trombley (Midfield/Forward), Alexis Capen (Defender/Midfield) and Ali Ausman (Defender) along with sophomore Kaylie Churchill (Midfielder) and 8th grader Ruth Walker (Midfield/Forward). DiNieri and Trombley both earned All-League Honorable Mention.

“They are all solid players,” said Coach Rich Jennings. “They’ve been working hard and are excited about the season. We’re looking to try and repeat our successes.”

The Lady Rams will begin to tune up for the September 7 N-O home opener against Wilson by competing in the Holley Tournament on August 30 and September 1. Roy-Hart will face Aquinas in the tourney opener.