Soccer pitches around Delaware and on Maryland’s Eastern Shore have been hosting high school practices and scrimmages for a few weeks now, but the games count for real beginning Sept. 4 when Ss. Peter and Paul hosts Mount Carmel.
Salesianum returns as the defending Division I champion in Delaware, while Saint Mark’s was the runner-up in Division II. The Sals will be the last of the five Catholic boys teams in the Diocese of Wilmington to open their season.
As usual, schedules are subject to change, so it’s always a good idea to confirm that a game is still a go before heading out.
Wednesday, Sept. 4
Mount Carmel at Ss. Peter and Paul, 4 p.m. The Sabres send a youthful squad on to the pitch as they seek to rebound from a challenging 2023 season. Cristian Botsis is the only senior on the 21-man roster, with eight freshmen and four sophomores making the team.
Home games in CAPS (all at 4 p.m. except where noted)
Sept. 4: MOUNT CARMEL
Sept. 13: at Salisbury School
Sept. 27: at Annapolis Area Christian, 4:15 p.m.
Oct. 2: SEVERN
Oct. 4: at Gerstell
Oct. 9: BOYS LATIN
Oct. 11: Indian Creek
Oct. 16: GLENELG
Oct. 18: at St. Mary’s
Oct. 23: PARK
Oct. 25: at St. Vincent Pallotti
Oct. 30: ST. PAUL’S
Friday, Sept. 6
Archmere at Caravel, 3:30 p.m. The Auks travel to Bear to meet perennial contender Caravel. Archmere is looking to get back to the postseason with a team that includes just three seniors but is filled with 14 juniors. Juniors Ethan Beach and Oliver Hohman are among those who will provide scoring for Archmere, and junior Mason Kohl saw some action in goal last season.
The schedule is tough, with nine of the 15 games taking place on the road. The Auks will visit Saint Mark’s, Indian River and Wilmington Charter, but they close the regular season with three straight at home.
Home games in CAPS
Sept. 4: at Caravel, 3:30 p.m.
Sept. 13: CONRAD, 3:45 p.m.
Sept. 17: at Sanford, 4 p.m.
Sept. 19: ST. ELIZABETH, 3:45 p.m.
Sept. 21: at Saint Mark’s, noon
Sept. 24: at Middletown, 3:45 p.m.
Sept. 28: at Indian River, 3 p.m.
Oct. 3: at Wilmington Charter, 3:45 p.m.
Oct. 8: TATNALL, 3:45 p.m.
Oct. 10: at Newark Charter, 6:30 p.m.
Oct. 12: at Woodbridge, noon
Oct. 15: at Smyrna, 6:30 p.m.
Oct. 19: DELAWARE MILITARY, 11 a.m.
Oct. 24: MOT CHARTER, 3:45 p.m.
Oct. 29: SALESIANUM, 3:30 p.m.
Saint Mark’s at Glasgow, 3:30 p.m. The Spartans begin pursuit of a third straight appearance in the DIAA Division II state championship game. To get there, they’ll have to get through a challenging schedule with several new faces on the pitch. Coach Dan Swasey returns weapons in Gabe Arick, Nate Hughes, Zach Burns and Nick Rocco, among others.
As usual, the Spartans play a tough schedule, including William Penn, Brandywine and Archmere in a three-match stretch early on. They also visit Caravel and Salesianum.
Home games in CAPS
Sept. 6: at Glasgow, 3:30 p.m.
Sept. 10: WILLIAM PENN, 3:45 p.m.
Sept. 17: BRANDYWINE, 6 p.m.
Sept. 21: ARCHMERE, noon
Sept. 24: at Newark Charter, 6:30 p.m.
Sept. 26: TOWER HILL, time TBA
Oct. 4: DELCASTLE, 4 p.m.
Oct. 8: vs. St. Elizabeth, 3:30 p.m. at Banning Park
Oct. 10: at Caravel, 6:15 p.m.
Oct. 17: at Conrad, 3:45 p.m.
Oct. 22: WILMINGTON CHARTER, 3:30 p.m.
Oct. 24: at Saleianum, 7:30 p.m.
Oct. 28: at Newark, 3:45 p.m.
Oct. 29: McKEAN, 3:30 p.m.
Oct. 31: MOT CHARTER, 3:30 p.m.
St. Elizabeth at McKean, 3:45 p.m. The Vikings are hoping another year of experience for some key players will help them turn some close games in their favor in 2024.
Matt Acholla and junior Zach Tolvaisa are the leading returning scorers, and junior Justin Bozzo hits the nets after a solid campaign last year. Acholla is the lone senior, while half of the roster is either freshmen or sophomores.
St. E’s will be back at Banning Park for its home matches on the turf field. They have a tough schedule, with Division I power Wilmington Charter joining Division II contenders Archmere, Saint Mark’s and Delaware Military.
Home games in CAPS
Sept. 6: at McKean, 3:45 p.m.
Sept. 11: RED LION, 3:30 p.m. at Banning Park
Sept. 13: GLASGOW, 3:30 p.m. at Banning Park
Sept. 19: at Archmere, 3:45 p.m.
Sept. 27: WILMINGTON CHARTER, 3:30 p.m. at Banning Park
Oct. 1: ASPIRA, 3:30 p.m. at Banning Park
Oct. 4: at Dickinson, 3:30 p.m.
Oct. 8: SAINT MARK’S, 3:30 p.m. at Banning Park
Oct. 10: at Delaware Military, 3:45 p.m.
Oct. 12: NEWARK CHARTER, 10:30 a.m. at Banning Park
Oct. 15: at A.I. duPont, 5:30 p.m.
Oct. 17: at MOT Charter, 3:45 p.m.
Oct. 24: At Conrad, 3:45 p.m.
Oct. 28: ODYSSEY CHARTER, 3:30 p.m. at Banning Park
Oct. 31: CHRISTIANA, 3:30 p.m. at Banning Park
Saturday, Sept. 7
Salesianum at Walter S. Johnson (Md.), 2 p.m. Salesianum returns as the defending Division I state champion with another veteran lineup ready to take on some of the best teams in the region.
Tyler Cifa was one of the Sals’ top scorers last season, and he returns as a senior. He is joined by Chase Esser on the attack. Salesianum will have a new goalkeeper, with freshman Thomas DeRosa and senior Ian Fahnoe on the roster.
The schedule includes six Delaware foes, including Division I contenders Wilmington Charter, Caesar Rodney and Appoquinimink. Once again, they will take on some national powers, with a trip to St, Benedict Prep (N.J.) set for Oct. 5.
Home matches in CAPS
Sept. 7: at Walter Johnson (Md.), 2 p.m.
Sept. 10: at Wilmington Charter, 7:30 p.m.
Sept. 14: ST. AUGUSTINE PREP (N.J.), 7 p.m.
Sept. 18: at LaSalle College HS (Pa.), 6:30 p.m.
Sept. 25: PHELPS (Pa.), 7:30 p.m.
Sept. 28: at Charlotte Latin (N.C.), time TBA
Oct. 1: at Durham Academy (N.C.), 6:15 p.m.
Oct. 5: at St. Benedict’s Prep (N.J.), 5 p.m.
Oct. 10: KINGSWAY (N.J.), 7:15 p.m.
Oct. 12: at Conestoga (Pa.), 11 a.m.
Oct. 15: CAESAR RODNEY, 7:30 p.m.
Oct. 17: at Appoquinimink, 7:30 p.m.
Oct. 19: SAINT MARK’S, 7:30 p.m.
Oct. 22: at Caravel, 6:15 p.m.
Oct. 29: at Archmere, 3:30 p.m.
