Veteran nucleus leads Purple Eagles

Photo by Cheryl Wertman – Veteran members of the Albion varsity soccer team include, in front, Donovan Braley, Matt Kania and Leo Bolton. In back are Jayden Lewis, Adrian Figueroa, Noah Marat and Tye Talbot. Missing is David Rosario.

Looking to improve on last year’s 5-5 Niagara-Orleans League record (9-7 overall), the Albion boys varsity soccer team is led by a good nucleus of eight returnees.

Seniors Adrian Figueroa (Goalie), David Rosario (Midfield) and Leo Bolton (Defender), who all earned second team N-O All-League honors, and senior Matt Kania (Defender), who received Honorable Mention, heads that veteran group.

That contingent also includes seniors Donovan Braley and Noah Marat at Midfield and Jayden Lewis and Tye Talbot on Defense.

“We’re focusing on defense,” said Coach Bridgette Varin. “That is the area we’re really working on.”

The Purple Eagles graduation losses included the first team N-O All-League trio of Finn McCue, Alonzo Figueroa-Fuentes and Dominic Mulka along with Honorable Mention selections Jason Anstey and Ben O’Connor. McCue scored a team leading 16 goals last fall.

“We lost some good players but we’ve got a good group returning,” said Varin.

Albion will tune up for the September 10 N-O home opener against Akron by competing in the Kendall Tournament on September 5 and 6. The Purple Eagles will face Holley in the tourney opener as Kendall will take on Rochester Prep in the other semi.