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Haddonfield Bulldogs
Coach: Ryan Nixon (43-17-3)
Conference: Conference - Liberty
Last season: 18-2-1, advanced to South Jersey, Group 2 quarterfinals
STORY: Haddonfield dedicating season to longtime assistant coach
Key players returning:
- D Jon Skiba (sr.) – 3 assists
- F Jack Dugan (jr.) – 18 goals, 15 assists
- M Sam DeCencio (jr.) – 8 goals, 8 assists
- M Max Green (jr.) – 5 goals
Key players lost:
- Jonathan Baxter - starting GK, one of top keepers in South Jersey
- Wyatt Dugan – 12 goals, 13 assists
- Matt Fell – led the team with 21 goals
- Cole Fabbri – 3rd Team All-State Defender
- Cole Pollack – 1 goal
Newcomers to watch:
- M Will Sabia (jr.)
- GK Finn Miller (jr.)
- M Alex Axmann (sr.)
- F Steve DiTomaso (so.)
STORY: Haddonfield's Miller making up for lost time after scary injury
2016 Outlook: Haddonfield won its first 17 games last season and looked unbeatable, finishing the entire season with just eight goals allowed. Over their final four games, though, the Bulldogs went 1-2-1, including a loss in the quarterfinals as the top seed.
That’s behind them now, with the remains of that loss only adding fuel to the upcoming season. They’ll lose some top of the line talent, especially in the net in Jonathan Baxter, as well as leading scorer Matt Fell and 25-point man Wyatt Dugan. Yet, Haddonfield was so deep last year that those losses will be mitigated. Jack Dugan and Sam DeCencio will be one of the top 1-2 duos in the area, having combined for 39 goals and 33 assists when playing on the same field. There will also be about four sophomores who will push for serious playing time, including Steve DiTomaso, a striker that is capable of double-digit goals.
The backend will be the only question mark for Haddonfield. Outside of replacing their goalkeeper, they’ll have to replace three key defenders. Jon Skiba will assume the heavy responsibilities of anchoring the back line this season. With the talent on the upswing, this issue should get resolved fairly early on in the season as Haddonfield continues to push forward.
There’s going to be some key pieces needed to be replaced, but Nixon’s squad is more than prepared for the task. Haddonfield may not win 17 in a row like they did last season, but they’ll certainly be among the top programs in South Jersey as they look for a second straight conference title.
STORY: Club success fueling Haddonfield's Dugan, DeCencio
Stat to know: In 2014, Haddonfield finished 11-9. That led to a seven win increase last season.
They said it: “This team will remain competitive despite having to replace a number of talented seniors from 2015 lost to graduation. A repeat as Colonial Conference Liberty Division Champs in 2016 would signal a true return to form for our program which is seeking to make it back to a SJ Final for the first time since 2011.” Head coach Ryan Nixon
VIDEO: Sights and sounds from Haddonfield's practice
Kyle Phillippi covers Camden County sports for NJ.com. You can follow him on Twitter, @KylePhillippisHS, and be sure to follow @HSSportsSJ for all your area sports news.
