BOYS’ SOCCER PREVIEW:Sage Hill has high hopes

When it comes to experience it is difficult to match the Sage Hill School boys’ soccer team.

The Lightning is chock full of players with three and four years experience at the varsity level. But the experience for Sage Hill doesn’t stop at the soccer field.

It has fifth-year coach Noureddine El Alam holding high expectations for his team that won a share of the Academy League title last season with a 9-5-5 record.

“I believe we will take it this year,” El Alam said. “It always comes down to St. Margaret’s, Oxford and us.”

The Lightning lost in overtime in the first round of the CIF Southern Section Division VI playoffs to Oak Park.

Sage Hill (3-0-1) has seven returning starters and El Alam was named league Coach of the Year last season.

Senior forward Braden Ross, a four-year starter, was also named first-team All-Academy League in football as the team’s top receiver.

Ross, who was first-team all-league in soccer for the second straight time last season, uses the speed, power and footwork that brought him success in football. Ross was second on the team in scoring last year with eight goals, with injuries hampering him throughout the year. This year, Ross already has eight goals.

“He’s doing really well this year,” El Alam said. “He’s very strong and a smart player, too. He’s done an outstanding job over four years.”

Senior forward Tyler Ellis, a four-year starter, returns as the Lightning’s leading scorer from last season, finishing with 10. Ellis was also named first-team all-league. Ellis will play mainly left midfielder and forward El Alam said.

“He’s very fast,” El Alam said.

Junior goalkeeper Beau Caillouette, a three-year starter, is also a three-year starter on the water polo team. Caillouette was also the water polo team’s leading scorer with 73 goals and was named first-team All-Orange Coast League. Caillouette moved to goalkeeper from stopper to replace Zach Shockley, who made 31 saves last season and was named second-team all-league.

“He’s very athletic and has a good eye for the ball,” El Alam said. “Playing water polo, he has what it takes to play goalie. He’s also very feisty. He’s not afraid of the ball and like great forwards he puts his nose where it doesn’t belong.”

Senior Conrad Whitaker has experience in three different varsity sports, competing in cross country and tennis as well. Whitaker was second-team all-league last season and first-team the season before. Whitaker, who spent his first three years as a midfielder, has seen time at defender this season.

Senior Alex Edelstein is the reigning Most Valuable Player in the Academy League and was also the kicker on the football team. Edelstein has been named first-team all-league two straight years and captain for three years.

“He’s a very solid player,” El Alam said. “He’s the backbone back there.”

Freshman Chris Burke, sophomore Nick Singarella, senior Jonathan Gordon, senior Chris Lee and sophomore Max Ellison will all be crucial defenders, El Alam said.

Senior forward-midfielder Richard Gadbois, a four-year starter, was first-team all-league and tied for third on the team in scoring with six goals.

“He’s a very big player,” El Alam said.

Sage Hill is deep in the midfield, with freshman Ben Capaldi, sophomore Mark Milner and sophomore Michael Bear playing a critical role, El Alam said.

“They’re all very smart players,” El Alam said.

Freshman Jake Blitzer will be the substitute goalkeeper.

The Lightning will attempt to fill the void left by Zach Milder, a first-team all-league forward, who scored six goals.

The Lightning freshmen have already made an impact. Capaldi can play any position on the field and has six goals. Burke has demonstrated aggression on offense and defense and Blitzer is constantly improving as a keeper.

“He’s got really good reflexes,” El Alam said of Blitzer.

Sage Hill opens Academy League play today at Brethren Christian at 3:15 p.m.