VARSITY BOYS’ SOCCER

Head Coach: Bob Hodgman-Burns, seventh year

Assistant Coach: Tim Atwood

Top returnees: The Raiders graduated 12 players from their playoff squad of a year ago, and return three starters — senior captain and goalkeeper Paul Dostie along with midfielders Alec Perry and Josh Rounds. Forrest Stearns is a returning starter who plays stopper. Gabe Perry will see time at midfield. Tyler Saunders is a senior captain midfielder and Tyler LeGoff is a senior captain sweeper. Mike LeGoff is a senior back. Hideaki Nakamura is a junior striker who is new to the varsity. Ian Shea is a senior midfielder. The Raiders also have three German players that will see varsity time. Finally, Jordan Kruguer is a freshman starter at striker.

Keys to the season: Consistency and new starters stepping up in a difficult conference. Defense will be key and finding players to score goals now that the Serbians are gone. “Beating teams we should be better than will also be key,” Coach Hodgman-Burns said.

Question marks: Health will be important and finding depth in the roster.

Positives in the preseason: The Raiders beat Kennett, Telstar and Oxford Hills. “We are looking forward to playing in the toughest conference in the league,” Coach Hodgman-Burns said. “If we stay healthy and pull off some unexpected wins, we should go to the tournament for the fifth consecutive year.”

Up next: The Raiders host Gray-New Gloucester today, Sept. 6 at 4 p.m. The Raiders travel to Freeport on Saturday for a 2:45 game and head to Sacopee Valley next Thursday, Sept. 13 from a 6 p.m. contest.