By Christopher Tremblay, Staff Sports Writer

Last fall the Hopedale boys’ soccer team opened the season with a horrible showing, record-wise, as they were only able to capture a single win in the first nine games. 

Despite the lousy beginning, the Blue Raiders turned things around in the second half going 7-2 to give them a record around .500 (8-8-2) earning themselves a number 13 seed in the Division 5 State Tournament. 

Once in the tournament Hopedale was able to defeat Mystic Valley 3-2 before falling to Dearborn Academy, the team that lost in the Championship game on penalty kicks, 3-1 in the next round.

Hopedale Coach Greg LaBossiere graduated six starters (his keeper, 2 backs, 2 midfielders and a striker) from that squad but is very optimistic about this year’s team and its capabilities.

“With this group of players, I’m thinking at least Final Four this year barring any more injuries,” the Blue Raiders coach said. "Even with the new alignment we look pretty good on paper, but when all is said and done, we really don’t know a lot about the new teams we will be facing.”

This fall the MIAA adjusted the leagues within the state looking to being a more balanced schedule to the schools. Leagues like the Dual Valley, where Hopedale used to reside, were dissolved and replaced with the Central Mass Athletic Conference (CMAC). Hopedale will now be part of group C with the likes of Millbury, Assabet, Leicester and North, where they will play each team twice during the season. Hopedale will also take the field against former DVC opponents once and add non-league games with Blackstone Valley Tech, Uxbridge, Northbridge and Medway.

LaBossiere is looking for Gui Cardoso, an All Division and All State All-Star, to lead the Blue Raiders onto the field and into the Division 4 State Tournament this fall. Cardoso has been on the varsity squad since his freshman campaign and right from the beginning the Hopedale coach was aware of his skill set on the soccer field. 

“He is probably one of, if not the best player on the field at any given time,” LaBossiere said. “This year his leadership and maturity have grown with his appointment to a captain. He sees the field well and knows how to open it up giving his teammates opportunity.”

The Blue Raiders coach went on to note that despite being in a new league the junior attacker will still be marked heavily by his new opponents as well as the old ones. 

Senior tri-captain Josiah Lefever will be moving up from his attack position into the strike role with the loss of Charlie Oliver and will also be interchangeable with Cardoso. The senior, according to his Coach, is hard working athlete that over the past two years has been a lead by example type of player. As a club soccer player, his play has been moving forward and will be looked upon to continue to progress this year. LaBossiere firmly believes that Lefever can be one of the best players within the league. Last fall he tallied some big goals for Hopedale and the Coach is looking for more out of him this year.

Lefever was moved into the striker position when freshman Oliver went down with an injury and will be lost for a portion of the season. As an eighth grader last year the now freshman found himself called up to the varsity team where he saw a good number of minutes and was able to score six goals during his time with the big club. 

“Charlie was going to be looked upon to be one of our scorers,” the Coach said. “With his injury he’ll be out for awhile and by losing someone of his caliber is obviously tough, but I believe that we have a deep, experienced group of guys who will pick up the slack.”

With Oliver sitting on the bench for the foreseeable future LaBossiere is hoping that someone seizes the opportunity to take advantage of the vacancy on the field. 

“If someone comes out in Charlie’s absence and works hard they could possible steal a position,” LaBossiere said.

The other tri-captain this fall will be outside back Charlie Keyes, an individual that really sets the tone with his work ethic and is physically a lot stronger this year than he has been in the past. Like Lefever, he too is a club soccer player and brings a shut down defense to his game. He is much more confident as he enters his senior season and should be a real game changer for the Blue Raiders this fall. 

Junior center back Sam Dalpe, who is entering his third year with the varsity team is very good on the ball and usually the last line of defense before the goalie. Dalpe will be looked upon to possess the ball in the defensive zone, while controlling it into the midfield. Another junior will be Nate Rutkowski, who will find his way onto the varsity starting lineup as the team’s new goalie. Last fall Rutkowski was primarily the junior varsity keeper, while also the back-up on the varsity team. Although he does not possess a ton of varsity experience on the soccer team, he does on the basketball squad and LaBossiere is hoping that he can translate that experience while bringing his athleticism to the soccer field.

If all goes as planned and the Blue Raiders stay healthy and are able to get Oliver back before the end of the season Hopedale is looking at making an appearance in the Final Four and hopefully beyond.