By Jim Lockwood
Staff Writer

The start of the 2005 Class L boys soccer season was frustrating for Manchester Memorial High School's club.

The Crusaders knew they had the talent to compete. But collective ability wasn't translating into wins.

Following Memorial's seventh game of the year, the coaches introduced a new style of play. The change energized the Crusaders, resulting in the club's climb in the standings the last few weeks.

Manchester Memorial freshman Gavin Madden (right) fights to maintain possession of the ball while attempting to beat his Concord opponent down field in the Crusaders. 2-1 setback against the nationally ranked Crimson Tide on Monday, Oct. 10, at Memorial Field. The Crusaders lost 15 seniors last year and have been looking to younger players like Madden to make much-needed contributions to the 2005 club. (Jim Lockwood Photo)

"We were psyched," said fullback Kevin Swett. "We did it in practice and we were putting in goals like crazy."

The new system, taught to the team by Memorial freshmen coach Randy Cayer, emphasizes offense rather than defense.

Instead of players passing the ball across the field, the team's new strategy called for the Crusaders told to send the ball up field with more consistency.

Although the new scheme relies heavily on goal scorers, Memorial head coach Paul Ostberg said equally strong play is needed from people setting up the scoring chances. Players are required to make crisp passes to hit teammates at the right time.

In addition, Memorial's system is effective if the players anticipate the action, rather than react to it, Ostberg added. The Crusaders. new approach also meant Peter Bannon would serve a new role for the team.

Bannon - the junior varsity team's leading scorer two years ago - was called on to set up the goals as opposed to scoring them. He's a key contributor even though goals don't typically leave his foot.

Ostberg praised Bannon's ability to pressure defenders and feed the ball to his teammates. In '05, the second-year varsity player has five assists.

Bannon sets up Christian Rodriguez and Ethan Lapierre, the Crusaders. main scorers.

Certain Crusaders improved on defense, too.

During Memorial's turnaround, Swett blossomed into a solid sweeper, who breaks up opponents. attacks and creates goal-scoring opportunities for his club.

Ostberg initiated the change when he realized the original offensive system didn't match the style of his players, who were offensive-minded.

Swett said the team likes an up-tempo game that focuses on speed up front.

Using the old game plan, the Crusaders were 1-6, averaging less than one goal per contest.

According to Lapierre, balls were dropping behind the team's defense too easily, creating many scoring chances for other teams.

The reinvigorated Crusaders, however, posted a 5-2 mark, averaging nearly 2.5 goals per match.

The turnaround ensured a trip to the playoffs for the locals. After a 2-1 loss to Concord on Monday, Oct. 10, the Crusaders were 13th in the standings at 6-8.

The '05 Crusaders include Auburn's Wes Cotnoir, Tim Finch and Devin Flaherty; plus Bannon, Brian Bartlett, Sean Beauvais, Tim Desmarais, Kevin Donahue, Pablo Gamella, Tyler Grady, Ed Lacourse, Brian Lamarche, Lapierre, Jeff Lemay, Rob Lemieux, Gavin Madden, Scott Morin, Shawn Patriguin, Tim Pinard, Christian Rodriguez, Julio Samaniego, Connor Simpson, Mike Spacone and Swett.

"You (have to) play the way your players want to play," Ostberg said.