Cromwell outside back Carson Stermer (13) forces his way through two Valley defenders.
Panthers Boys Soccer Begins Defense of State Title
CROMWELL - As defending CIAC Class S state champions, the Cromwell boys soccer team has a target on its back as the team to beat in 2014. After notching a 16-4-1 record in 2013, eight of the championship-winning lineup return to try and bring head coach Jonathan Harder his third state title and the program’s fifth.

       â€"It’s a challenge to be defending champions because your opponents often measure their abilities against you,” said Harder. â€"They bring everything they have. I think this year’s team is mature enough to understand if we focus on what we do best then we have the potential to win any game.”

       Harder’s Panthers began their 2014 campaign Sept. 9 with a home clash against Shoreline Conference rivals the Valley Regional Warriors.

       â€"The Shoreline Conference [SLC] is tough and teams beat up on each other. SLC games are always a challenge. Our 11-straight seeded games in the Shoreline will all be a grind. I think a lot of people look at the SLC and see it only as a small conference, which is true, but every year I think there are teams that can go toe-to-toe with the biggest and best of them. Valley is three-time defending SLC champs, so as far as I’m concerned, they are the team to beat,” continued Harder.

       Harder’s pre-game comments were echoed on the field, as both teams played out a high energy, end-to-end contest that ended 0-0 after overtime.

       â€"I was happy to come away with a point considering both sides had multiple scoring opportunities. Valley reminded us why they are defending SLC champs. They almost never make mistakes and they capitalize on yours. It was 100 minutes of high-tempo soccer that you rarely see in the first week of the season. It should be an interesting rematch in October [11th],” Harder said.

       Cromwell created chances early and often, several falling to Jared Grant after enterprising play by key playmaker Derek Parker - leader in team points (nine goals and 11 assists) in 2013. Despite forcing three corners in the first 20 minutes, the Panthers could not find the back of the net. Valley showed its mettle throughout the game and kept Panthers’ goalkeeper Ryan Murphy (12 shutouts in 2013 and Class S Tourney MVP) busy making several spectacular saves for another shutout to add to his growing career tally.

       â€"I was impressed with our team’s defense and goalkeeping,” said Harder. â€"Defensively, we got better as the night progressed and managed to hold down the fort, even when we had guys cramping up.

       â€"I thought our outside backs, Carson Stermer and Jake Pendl, did a great job defensively,” said Harder. â€"Valley was specifically trying to exploit and isolate them and they didn’t cave-in. Our center backs, Thomas Mantel and Brett Sadinsky, also worked well together. Our entire defensive unit was the player of the game.”

       The Panthers earned their first win of the 2014 season when they beat St. Paul Catholic, 2-1, Sept. 13 with goals from seniors Ardit Statovci and Dylan Davies. Ryan Murphy recorded four saves while his opposite number, Zachary Federowicz, was forced to make seven saves by the Panthers’ strike force.

       Harder, now in his eighth season as head coach, started at Cromwell in 1998 as the freshman coach. He became JV coach in 2000 and took over head coach duties in 2007 when Mike Pitruzzello left to become Middletown’s athletic director.

       â€"I started playing soccer when I was very young in the West End of Hartford and I was hooked for life. I played almost continuously through high school,” said Harder.

       â€"After I joined the CHS staff, I earned multiple coaching certifications from the NSCAA [National Soccer Coaches Association of America]. I’m currently a member of the Connecticut Soccer Coaches Association executive board and was recently appointed to the CIAC boys and girls soccer board. I’m also a rabid USMNT [United States Men’s National Team] fan.

       â€"My style of coaching is evolving,” said harder. â€"I think I start with the idea that I’ll never know everything and go from there. About 95 percent of what I coach on the field I have borrowed from other coaches. I’m not an innovator, I’m an integrator. I try to keep an open mind, listen to the stats our team generates and take calculated risks.

       â€"The hardest part of coaching soccer is to know your players’ mental and physical abilities and put them into a complementary style of play. As a high school coach, it’s mainly about making players take ownership of themselves and the team. Once they do that, the x’s and o’s become the easy part.”
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