After graduating twelve seniors, five who were selected to the All-Mission League first or second team, this may look like a rebuilding year for the Golden Knights. Fortunately, the losses may be offset by the strength of the returners. Returning All-league selections, Nick Rihn (senior midfielder). Jordan Bell (senior goalkeeper) and Eric Verso (sophomore forward) hope to continue the team’s winning ways. Building on their experience with last year’s 21-5-2 team. The defending Mission League champions will look to new faces to mix with the returning varsity players.

Senior midfielder Brett McCreary will join Rihn and Bell as the senior captains and seniors David Rios, G.P. Gonzalez, and Amir Moore should all contribute strongly this year. Juniors Dante Ramunno and Max Cadena, who both joined the varsity from JV during the season last year, should add the strength to the defense.

Coach Appels, who begins his 21st year with St. Francis H.S, sees some strong potential in this year’s squad: “We have some very talented players. It’s a matter of learning to play together and asking each individual to take on some more responsibility. We lost some extremely effective players to graduation, but we have some exciting young players who I think will step right in and help us right away.”

The Golden Knights will look to defend their Brandt/Burroughs tournament championship from last year and will compete at the Buena New Year’s Tournament before beginning the Mission League with road games at Harvard and Chaminade.

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