Rams look to challenge with veteran squad

Photos by Cheryl Wertman – The returning first team All-League trio of, from left, Trent Choste, Noah Stern and Aidan Bligh, shown here in action during games last year, will lead Roy-Hart into the up coming Niagara-Orleans soccer campaign.

Coming off a close second place finish last fall, Roy-Hart returns a veteran laden squad to again challenge for the Niagara-Orleans League boys soccer title this season.

Senior Froward Aidan Bligh, senior Midfielder Noah Stern and junior Forward Trent Choate, who all earned first team N-O All-League honors, and senior Defender Dominic Peracciny, who was a second team honoree, head the Rams veteran contingent.

Choate had 14 goals and 5 assists, Bligh 12 goals and 9 assists and Stern 7 goals and 3 assists last season.

The Rams veteran group also includes Seniors Jacob Verratti (Midfielder) and Brad Voelker (Goalie/Defender) along with junior Elijah Giroux (Forward) and sophomores Peter Martillotta (Midfielder) and Aiden Guild (Defender) who both received N-O All-League Honorable Mention.

“We’ve got our top four point getters returning on offense which is great to have,” said Coach Greg Martillotta. “We’ve got a great nucleus overall and a lot of experience. The key will be building the defense back.”

The Rams graduation losses were on the defense end including Goalie Colby Hancock and Defenders Clayton Keyes and Matt Scott.  Hancock and Keyes were both first team N-O All-League selections and Scott received Honorable Mention.

Roy-Hart  went 8-2 in the  league last fall finishing just behind 9-1 Medina/Lyndonville.

The Rams are  scheduled to begin N-O competition on Monday at Akron.

Schedule:

October: 5 – at Akron, 4:30 p.m.; 7 – Albion, 6:30 p.m.; 10 – Medina/Lyndonville, 12 p.m.; 14 – at Newfane, 4:30 p.m.; 16 – Wilson, 6:30 p.m.; 19 – Akron, 4:30 p.m.; 21 – at Albion, 6:30 p.m.; 23 – at Medina/Lyndonville, 6:30 p.m.; 28 – Newfane, 6:30 p.m.; 30 – at Wilson, 6:30 p.m.