SCRANTON — The Scranton Prep boys soccer team returns a wealth of experience and will be looking to build off last year’s 12-0-1 league record.

Despite last season ending on a sour note when the top-seeded Cavaliers were defeated by ninth-seeded Valley View in the quarterfinals of the District 2 Class 2A playoffs, there is a lot of optimism in the program.

With the return of 11 starters, the Cavs are looking to make a deeper run through the playoffs in 2016.

Senior midfielder Biagio D’Apollonio, senior defenders Thomas Pfaeffle and Billy Weiss, senior forward Kyle Zaboski, junior defenders Sam Bednarz and Santo Insalaco, junior midfielder Cullen Myers, junior goalkeeper Garry Wrobleski, sophomore forwards Alec Buttner and Corbin White and sophomore midfielder Kenny Kincel were all significant players a season ago.

“Our biggest strength is our experience,” Scranton Prep head coach Sean Curry said. “We played against the bigger schools last year and had a good season. We gained big-game experience and were able to develop depth at the same time. We’ve developed our young players really well over the last couple seasons. I can probably go 18 deep and not lose much. It’s a nice luxury because it’s rare to have that kind of depth.”

Juniors Dan Kuzdro, Henry Rusak and Angelo Terrana along with sophomores Greg Fisher and Mario Rotell are also expected to contribute for the Cavs.

“One of the nice things about the group this year is I can move guys around,” Curry said. “I can move those five guys almost anywhere on the field.”

Freshmen Edison Lopes and Chris Curry may also see time this season.

Curry believes Myers has developed into a great all-around player and will be one of the team’s top threats this season.

“He’s like a quiet assassin,” Curry said. “He controls the game from the midfield and his soccer knowledge is so good. He knows where to go with the ball and is willing to create opportunities for our forwards.”

Curry also praised the consistent play of Weiss in the back end of the field.

“He’s such a dominant defender,” Curry said. “He reads the game so well and helps protect the net.”

The Cavaliers graduated just two starters off last year’s team in twin brothers Blake and Justin Hammert.

“Our goal is to continue on the track we’re on now,” Curry said. “We’re really clicking well together. I love the way the boys are playing together. We get guys from all over the area and to get them to play well together is a unique opportunity for us.”

Curry, who is in his 17th year as head coach, expects Lakeland, Mountain View and Western Wayne to provide the toughest competition within Lackawanna League Division 2 play.

Scranton Prep will host Mountain View at 4:15 on Tuesday, Sept. 6 to open its league season.

The captains of the Scranton Prep boys soccer team are, from left, Kyle Zaboski, Billy Weiss and Thomas Pfaeffle.
http://www.theabingtonjournal.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/09/web1_ABJ-SP-SOC-Boys.jpg.optimal.jpgThe captains of the Scranton Prep boys soccer team are, from left, Kyle Zaboski, Billy Weiss and Thomas Pfaeffle. Robert Tomkavage | Abington Journal

By Robert Tomkavage

rtomkavage@timesleader.com

Reach Robert Tomkavage at 570-704-3941 or on Twitter @rtomkavage.