For The Dialog
CLAYMONT — The Archmere Auks’ soccer team has a checklist of things they want to accomplish, and they hope they can cross all of them off this year. Last year, the Auks upset top-seeded St. Andrews in the Division II playoffs as they reached the semifinals.
The Auks look to start their list by beating Division II runner up Caravel in their opener on Saturday. Senior midfielder Sean Murray says, “Caravel is our No. 1 priority right now.”
He also stated how last season might help them this year.
“We were kind of surprised to be in the semifinal game and that left a taste in our mouth for this year,” he said.
Coach Bob Bussiere likes opening with Caravel. “We purposely put them first because year in and out they are going to be a good team. It’ s a good game to have because as you go thru three weeks of preseason, you can say, ‘That’s not what Caravel is doing. They aren’t taking it easy. They are working hard.’”
The second thing on the checklist is the Diamond State Athletic Conference and the automatic state tournament berth that comes with it. Senior forward Liam Delaney is focusing on winning the conference.
“I look forward to winning the conference again this year,” he said.
Their last conference game is Oct. 4 against Conrad. “We can win the conference in early October and know we are in the playoffs,” Bussiere said. “You can use the last month of the season to prepare for the tournament as we play strong Division I teams Sallies and Charter.”
The final item is a state championship, which both Murray and Delaney point out is the ultimate goal.
Schedule
09/10/16 @ Caravel 6:30 pm
09/13/16 NEWARK CHARTER 3:45 pm
09/16/16 @ Sanford 4 pm
09/20/16 @ Tatnall 3:45 pm
09/22/16 WILMINGTON CHRISTIAN 3:45 pm
09/27/16 DELAWARE MILITARY ACADEMY 3:45 pm
10/01/16 @ St. Mark’s 3 pm
10/04/16 @ Conrad 3:30 pm
10/08/16 ST. ANDREWS 1 pm (HOMECOMING)
10/11/16 ST. ELIZABETH 3:45 pm
10/15/16 @ Garnet Valley (Pa.) 11 am
10/19/16 GLASGOW 3:45 pm
10/22/16 @ Dover 7 pm
10/25/16 SALESIANUM 3:45 pm
11/01/16 WILMINGTON CHARTER 3:30 pm
