It’s no coincidence that the most successful teams in high school sports are typically the most experienced ones. Case in point: the Trumansburg boys soccer team. Spearheaded by a large class of 11 seniors, the Blue Raiders have put together another sensational season.
Trumansburg wraps up the regular season with an 11-2 record and is almost certain to get a top-two seed in the Section IV Class C tournament. With all but two players (including one starter) returning from last season’s IAC championship-winning squad, head coach Jason Hodge is once again thoroughly enjoying working with such a well-oiled machine.
“It’s really been a continuation the last two years at least, almost three with most of these guys playing,” Hodge said. “It’s been really nice, and they’re a nice bunch of kids, as well. Everybody loves being at the field and playing soccer, so it makes my job easy. I don’t really have to motivate them to be there. I just gotta work on the X’s and O’s.”
This season has not come without a bit of adversity, however. The only two losses the Blue Raiders have suffered were to rivals Lansing, meaning that the Bobcats will play for an IAC title instead. As if they didn’t need any more fuel to light a fire under them heading into sectionals, Trumansburg will no doubt use those setbacks as valuable learning lessons.
“For whatever reason, whenever we play Lansing we just play a different brand of soccer,” Hodge said. “[It’s] just trying to emphasize with them that we can still play quick soccer. If we play one-two touch soccer, we can still move the ball, even against a really good team. But unfortunately, we played a little bit of boom ball against them and the ball just didn’t bounce our way.”
The Blue Raiders’ attack continues to be their strong suit. After averaging about five goals per game last season, they’ve produced an even greater output with 6.5 goals per contest. A sizable chunk of that production comes from Duncan Gattine, who has scored over 30 goals for the second straight season.
The reigning All-State selection is now a record-holder for the Blue Raiders. The senior is now the all-time points leader in program history, achieving that remarkable feat on October 7 with two goals and an assist in a 5-0 win over Elmira Notre Dame. The record was previously 108 points held by 2020 graduate Conor Baird, who went on to play four years as a defender at Ithaca College.
“I think I’m a better leader this year,” Gattine said. “I’m not the most vocal guy, but I think that my captains and I are doing a better job leading the team this year. I think that I’m just getting in better spots to shoot the ball, and I think that’s definitely improved from last year.”
Setting up so many of Gattine’s goals is fellow senior captain Finn Lambro, who is on track to overtake 2014 graduate Abreham Kittel as the all-time assists leader in program history.
Like Lambro, Teo Tielens also wears the captain’s armband and is also a senior midfielder. But he has also been deployed in the back line. He’s one of many players on the team that showcases a strong sense of versatility.
Tielens is one of a few players who has frequently slotted into an experienced defense. In front of senior goalkeeper Jack Shank are three more seniors who have started on the same back line for three years running: Jack Kise, Milan Welch, and captain Wes Sturges.
“It doesn’t matter who we put back there, those guys can communicate with each other,” Hodge said. “They’ve got confidence in whoever we put out there. It’s just been an absolute pleasure to be with these guys for the last couple years and see them grow as players and build their confidence.”
Class C sectionals are shaping up to be ultra-competitive once again. While Marathon—who knocked the Blue Raiders out of the tournament in the semifinals last year—have moved down to Class D, there are still plenty of other teams to be wary of. That includes defending champions Seton Catholic out of the STAC, Oxford, Unatego/Franklin and Greene out of the MAC, and fellow IAC school Southern Cayuga.
No matter who they face come playoff time, the Blue Raiders are ready for battle. If they want to break a 16-year-long title drought, one key is paramount in Hodge’s mind.
“I think we just got to score when we have the opportunity,” Hodge said. “When we get into sectional play, you’re not going to have as many opportunities as we’ve seen per game. The competition’s definitely going to be better, but the guys should have the confidence going forward that we can do big things. We’re hopeful to have a shot at that sectional crown and hopefully continue beyond there.”
