For The Dialog
WILMINGTON — The Salesianium soccer team has won six straight state championships, and not only do they want to make it seven, but they want to be the top team in the nation. Their schedule this year could allow that to happen as they play four nationally ranked teams, including No. 1 St. Benedict’s Prep (N.J.).
The Sals return all 11 starters, including one of the top goalkeepers in the country in senior Gavin Campbell. Campbell was named to the 2016 American Family Insurance USA preseason soccer team. He sees the Sals as a player on the national scene.
“I want us to be the best team in the nation this year, and our whole team believes it,” he said.
Coach Scott Mosier knows how important the first five games are for the Sals. “We start every season slow, and I guess I have to take the blame for that, but we open with Sussex Tech, who tied us twice in the last four years.”
They also play Division I and II runners-up Wilmington Charter and Caravel, and there is a trip to Colorado to play two nationally ranked teams.
Campbell, who only let up two goals to in-state teams in 2015, likes his offense this year.
“We have Gavin Ford, Jason Blackwell and many others that we will score goals,” he said.
Mosier thinks the scoring will be balanced. “We wont have a player score 20 goals, but we will be balanced, and most of our goals will be assisted because we control the ball,” the coach said.
Salesianum’s schedule also includes rivals Archmere, St. Elizabeth and St. Marks, along with Appoquinimink and Indian River.
Schedule
09/10/16 vs. Sussex Tech 5:30 pm @ Dover
09/13/16 CARAVEL 3:30 pm @ Hockessin Soccer Turf Field
09/16/16 @ Fairview (Colo.) 4 pm
09/17/16 @ Boulder (Colo.) 11 am
09/22/16 WILMINGTON CHARTER 3:30 pm @ Hockessin Soccer Turf Field
09/27/16 @ St. Elizabeth 3:45 pm
10/01/16 DEMATHA CATHOLIC (Md.) 1:30 pm
10/03/16 @ Kingsway (N.J.) 4 pm
10/08/16 ST. BENEDICT’S PREP (N.J.) TBA @ TBA
10/13/16 ST. MARK’S 7 pm @ Baynard Stadium
10/15/16 @ Appoquinimink 1 pm
10/20/16 C. MILTON WRIGHT (Md.) 4 pm
10/22/16 @ St. Augustine Prep (N.J.) 11 am
10/25/16 @ Archmere 3:45 pm
10/27/16 INDIAN RIVER 3:45 pm
