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JOHN SCHWARBThe Eagles are continuing their dominance once again.
One would be laying it on a little thick to say Springstead has gotten off to a 7-1 start with smoke and mirrors.
The Eagles were the county's best team last season and even with significant graduation losses, only a fool would have dismissed them totally this year.
But taking away senior backs Kyle Munson and Peter Golembiewski due to injury, it was reasonable to expect the Eagles to struggle a little.
Well, the next sign of trouble will be the first. Springstead is rolling with a defense that consists of moved midfielders and first-year varsity players.
"I would be pleased if I had Munson and Golembiewski, but without those two I'm actually ecstatic," coach Sal Calabrese said. "They've taken the loss and stepped up and played."
Kyle McIntyre, a junior who played last year on junior varsity, has assumed Golembiewski's position at right back. Senior R.J. Capozza is at sweeper in place of Munson. Also taking roles on the defense are Kevin DePetrillo, another JV player a year ago, and Curtis Hildreth.
"Some of the players, like R.J., I expected him to play well," Calabrese said. "DePetrillo and McIntyre, I'm not really surprised. I knew they had the potential once I gave them the chance. There's no hesitation, no fear, no nothing."
Okay, maybe not exactly "no fear." McIntyre admitted to soccer ball-sized butterflies before his first start two weeks ago, but the team's four-game win streak (through Friday) eased the nerves. "I was a little bit nervous. It is a big role and every game's important," McIntyre said. "I don't want to hurt the team ... by making a mistake."
No problem. Since a 2-0 loss to Lecanto the Eagles have won four straight, including 5-0 over Central that gave Springstead lopsided wins against all the county competition. "It would be good to have (the injured seniors) back, definitely," McIntyre said. "But it feels good without them to still be able to win games."
It's a good sign.