Warren

Cousino soccer coach challenges players who will make up 2013 roster

By Jason Carmel Davis
C & G Sports Writer

» click to enlarge « Photo by David Schreiber Warren Cousino wrapped up the soccer season with a 5-0 district quarterfinal loss to Warren De La Salle Oct. 15. Pictured is senior midfielder Mitchell Neault (10) during a game against Grosse Pointe South earlier this season. Photo by David Schreiber Warren Cousino wrapped up the soccer season with a 5-0 district quarterfinal loss to Warren De La Salle Oct. 15. Pictured is senior midfielder Mitchell Neault (10) during a game against Grosse Pointe South earlier this season.

WARREN — After his team’s season ended in a 5-0 loss to Warren De La Salle Oct. 15 in a Division 1 Michigan High School Athletic Association state district quarterfinal, Warren Cousino boys soccer coach Anthony Sorrentino quickly set his sights on 2013.

Sorrentino, whose Patriots finished 6-12-1 overall and 4-7-1 in the Macomb Area Conference White Division, said he has players in line to fill holes that will be vacated by the nine seniors on the 20-man roster.

The Cousino coach will look to junior goalkeeper Adam Viviano to take over for senior Tony DeMaria, who Sorrentino said kept the Patriots in several games in his two years as a starter.

“(Viviano) is a solid goalie who would have played a lot more if we didn’t have (DeMaria),” Sorrentino said. “But  I think Anthony will slide right into the starting spot just fine.”

Sorrentino added that he will miss the contributions of senior defenseman/midfielder Tyler Busch, a strong player who fought hard each game for Cousino, according to Sorrentino.

De La Salle coach Reid Freidrichs commended the Patriots, following the district quarterfinal. He said he thinks the Cousino program is on solid footing moving forward, adding that the Patriots fought hard to the finish.

Cousino has 11 players who could return next year, including sophomore midfielder Stuart Moore, junior defenseman/midfielder Gino Arondoski, sophomore forward Antonio Anselmi and sophomore midfielder Kevin Stackpole. Each of those players saw extensive playing time this season.

Sorrentino said he’s not overly concerned with finding skilled players to step into bigger roles.

“We have players who can perform on the field,” Sorrentino said. “I’m looking right now to find guys to step up and become vocal leaders. That’s going to be something we focus on going into next year.”

You can reach C & G Sports Writer Jason Carmel Davis at jdavis@candgnews.com or at (586)498-1107. Follow Jason Carmel on Twitter.