SPHS Boys Soccer Not Taking Anything For Granted

The message last spring was clear: don't take things for granted.

Discussing a 2020 season reduced and rescheduled due to the coronavirus pandemic, Severna Park boys soccer head coach Ryan Parisi wanted to make sure his team stayed focused.

"Like anything in life, don't take it for granted," Parisi said. "The thing that I said to those guys in the spring was, 'One day of practice is better than none, and one game is better than none.’”

The Falcons are now eager to return to the field with that message in mind and a full slate of games in front of them.

"I think the kids are just excited to be back and have a sense of normalcy," said Parisi, who is entering his 10th season as head coach.

An experienced group of seniors return to lead the Falcons this fall. Goalkeeper Brandon Asch will again anchor the defense along with the help of defender Brady Denman.

"I think we've pretty quickly picked up where we left off from a cultural standpoint within the program, which is the biggest thing," Parisi said.

The shortened 2020 season saw Severna Park finish 5-0, including a 4-1 victory over rival Broadneck High School. Then, due to the pandemic, all postseason action was canceled.

Shoring up the midfield will be seniors Gus Bachmann, Joshua Higgins, Christian Lenart, Kevin Breitinger, Benjamin Nocerito and Ethan Watson.

"I'm focused on the next task ahead of us and then going on to the next one. Hopefully we're playing our best as a team come the postseason timeframe," Parisi said.

The Falcons will face River Hill High School on Saturday, September 11, in their final tune-up before in-county action begins. Severna Park opens its county schedule on the road against Crofton High School on Monday, September 13.