Avon Soccer Eyes Goals of Conference, State Titles

The Avon High School boys varsity soccer team may have lost seven starters and last year's head coach, but, according to new coach David Zlatin, it's not quite a rebuilding year for the Falcons.

He described the team as "motivated."

The team's motivation has certainly shown in its 11-2 season record as of Oct. 18, only losing to Suffield and Somers.

"Suffield figures to be one of the better teams in the state this season," Zlatin said toward the beginning of the season.

The program has a strong sophomore class contingency, with six on varsity, Zlatin said, and other key players he noted include junior defender Stephen Dorney, senior midfielder Sean Janson and senior defender and Jared Rosenblatt.

Zlatin said that "if they are ready to contribute, we should be fine." 

The sophomores did step up alongside the veteran players in the most recent game against East Windsor when five of them started, Zlatin said. Avon won 4-0.

"The defensive effort was lead by senior captain Jared Rosenblatt, sophomore Reed Stapleton and sophomore Jack St Onge," Zlatin said. "Senior captain Bobby Zaino scored two more goals, bringing his season total to 19.  Jared added two assists in the game."

The team's main goal is "to compete for a league title and make a deep run in the state tournament."

Last year, Avon faced Farmington in the Class L state finals, losing 5-0.

The district appointed Zlatin to the varsity helm after former head coach Patrick Mulligan's retirement. Zlatin was the junior varsity coach last year and stood in as varsity coach when Mulligan was out on leave during the latter end of the 2012 season. 

"I am humbled and honored to be chosen as Avon's fourth varsity soccer coach," Zlatin said. "I will do my best to uphold the rich tradition of Avon soccer established by Ron Nedovich, Marty deLivron and Patrick Mulligan."

Will Brisco, a 2009 Avon graduate and former soccer captain, is coaching junior varsity this season and Kyle Kramek, an Avon High School history teacher, coaches the developmental team. 

On Tuesday, the boys will face Ellington (9-3-1) home at Fisher Meadow at 7 p.m. The team faces undefeated Suffield (13-0) on Friday.

For the latest results and game schedule, visit ciacsports.com.