LYNN — Last year the KIPP Academy boys soccer team had to overcome more than a few hurdles throughout the season. Injuries plagued the Panthers, who started 5-0-1, and they proceeded to drop five consecutive games.
“Really what it came down to was we ran into some injury issues,” Panthers coach Jon Langlois said. “Angel Zuniga our leading scorer hurt his knee and we had a few other players get hurt including Jorge Zapata. Our grades as a team are also a huge part of the KIPP program like many schools. Studies come before everything, I had to take some players off the field because of those issues.”
But the Panthers’ hot start helped them qualify for the Massachusetts Charter School Athletic Organization tournament, where they ended their season on a high note.
“We ended up qualifying for the tournament and made it to the semifinal,” Langlois said. “We played Boston Collegiate Charter in the first round and won 3-0 and beat Roxbury Prep 7-0. Then we lost to Salem Academy in the semifinal, 5-1. We took a red card early and our approach didn’t pan out for us, but it was a good year.”
Now entering his second year, Langlois returns a handful of starters including four co-captains, seniors Zuniga, Alejandro Campos, David Marcario and sophomore James Paz.
“Angel led the team in goals last year,” Langlois said. “He’s been the backbone of our offense. David is a four-year starter and a key defensive player and Alejandro really stepped up and took a role as leader. Alejandro can play multiple positions.
“James Paz had a huge standout freshman year,” Langlois added. “He made MCSAO all-stars as a freshman. He’s a key piece to our defensive line. He came in as a midfielder and we changed him into a defender. It worked out really well.”
Like most teams KIPP graduated some solid players, but there aren’t too many holes to fill going into 2019.
“We really only graduated four senior that were starters,” Langlois said. “We lost Wellington Gonzalez who was a huge part of the offense and our keeper Cris Rodriguez.”
The Panthers return almost all their starters in the midfield and will have a solid defensive back line.
“Our midfield is going to be very strong,” Langlois said. “We have some freshmen who were eighth graders last year and got a taste of those tournament games. They know what it takes. Kenny De Leon is a key player back there in the midfield that really puts it all together.
“Back in the defense we have three out of four backs returning, so overall we’re pretty solid,” Langlois said. “Jorge is healthy again and back there so that frees up Angel to play more of an offensive game.”
Also returning for 2019 on the coaching staff with Langlois are assistant coaches Padraic Slattery and Amy Lobue.
James Paz’s younger brother, Jefferson Paz will get the bulk of the work in net for the Panthers.
“Jefferson got plenty of work last year,” Langlois said. “He’s actually a well-rounded player and plays on all kinds of club teams. I’m very confident having him in net back there with the defense.”
KIPP’s offseason has been in full swing this week with a scrimmage against English Thursday. “I played for (English coach) Kerry King when I was in high school,” Langlois said. “So it’s great to scrimmage them. It’s a relationship that we’re working on building between the two schools.”
After that the Panthers will look for some revenge in their opener on the road at MCSAO rival Salem Academy next Tuesday.
“They beat us twice in the regular season and in the playoffs,” Langlois said. “We play them there on the third 3rd and then home on (September) 17th. It’s good to get those games over and then we’re also focused on Prospect Hill Academy in the division who also gave us a run for our money last year.”