By KEN HAMWEY

Staff Sports Writer

The 2023 edition of the Medway High boys’ soccer team has a variety of strengths that could lead to some exciting moments when the state tournament gets underway next month.

And those strengths could also enable the Mustangs to duplicate what coach Chris Borden’s forces achieved in the 2021 playoffs when tenth-seeded Medway (10-7-1) advanced to the state semifinals after victories over East Bridgewater, Old Rochester and Stoneham. Norwell, however, ended the Mustangs’ run and became the state champ.

“Our team chemistry is solid,’’ said Borden who’s in his fourth year as Medway’s coach. “We’re a cohesive squad. Our players also have a high soccer IQ and for some it’s still developing. We’ve also got quality leadership and experience. We lost seven seniors to graduation but have 11 players returning with varying degrees of experience.’’

Borden’s team is off to a good start. The Mustangs were 2-1 at Local Town Pages deadline, defeating Norton and Bellingham and losing to Dover-Sherborn. Borden hopes to achieve the goals he listed during pre-season practice.

“I told our players that our prime objective is to win the Tri Valley League Small Division title. Our second goal is to qualify for the tourney with a high seeding and go as deep as possible. Our goals are attainable but also challenging.’’ 

Medway’s style will feature patience with an eye towards forcing its opponents into mistakes. “I prefer a possession game,’’ Borden emphasized. “We want to react quickly to regain possession and make our opponents uncomfortable. It’s all about imposing our style on them.’’

Two players who’ll help implement Borden’s style are senior co-captains Ben Martin (midfielder) and Christian Chiplock (forward/midfielder). Both lead by example. Martin had seven goals and three assists last season while Chiplock had five goals and five assists.

“Ben was a captain and a TVL all-star last year,’’ Borden said. “He’s determined, hard-nosed, and passionate about soccer. He’s got a high soccer IQ and he’s excellent in transition. He disrupts an opponent’s attack and makes them work. Christian is very coachable, quick, a great team player with a positive attitude. He’s excellent at organizing team activities.’’

Senior defender Corey Vasco is a competitor who’s quick and can create disruption for an opponent. “Corey is athletic,’’ Borden noted. “He can gamble because he’s fast enough to recover. He gets involved in our offensive attack. He’s also coachable and invested in the team’s welfare.’’

Senior Sam-David Ramos is versatile, able to play as a midfielder or a defender. “Sam-David can transition to offense quickly after regaining possession,’’ Borden said. “He’s got good instincts and he’s got size. Born in Brazil, he brings a different perspective to the game. He wants to keep improving and we’ve got high hopes for him this season.’’

Two juniors — Victor Chaudoir (midfielder/defender) and Nicholas Pierangeli (defender) — are skilled competitors.

“Victor is highly skilled whether he’s on defense or playing as a midfielder,’’ Borden said. “He’s quick, tenacious and a well-rounded kid who speaks four languages. He was very effective in the off-season, getting teammates to train and practice. Nickolas is an iron man, rarely missing a minute of play. A skilled player, he’s got size, he’s athletic and he’s intelligent. Reserved and quiet, he lets his play do the talking. He’s very consistent.’’

Junior Kevin MacMahon is in goal again after a top-notch sophomore season that included seven shutouts and a goals-against average of 1.40. “Kevin is great at making difficult saves,’’ Borden offered. “He’s effective on one-on-one breakaways and knows when to come out to make a save. His instincts are excellent and he’s a team-first player with a great attitude.’’

Sophomore forward Alex Stott and junior midfielder Nicholas Mazzocca are key contributors.

“Alex knows how to play the game,’’ Borden said. “He’s got good instincts around the ball, and tall at 6-2, he’s a threat in the air. He’s got a high soccer IQ and as a freshman last year he had three goals and three assists. Nicholas is a transfer from Xaverian who has good size (6-1), he’s athletic and physical. He’s got excellent skills, especially with the ball.’’

The 45-year-old Borden was a captain and a two-time South Coast Conference all-star when he played soccer at Dighton-Rehoboth Regional. He also played basketball. Before enrolling at Trinity College (Hartford, Conn.), he suffered a severe ankle injury that required three surgeries and prevented him from competing as a collegian. He earned his degree in American Studies and later got his masters from Boston University.

A teacher at Lexington High and later at Dighton-Rehoboth, Borden now is in his 10th year on the Medway faculty, teaching economics and history. Previously a coach in basketball and golf at Dighton-Rehoboth, he became an assistant in soccer at Medway for four years before taking the varsity reins. Living in Franklin, Borden is married and he and his wife Kay have two children.

Relying on an athletic philosophy that emphasizes winning, Borden also wants his players “to reach their potential and enjoy playing soccer.’’ 

Valuable life lessons can be learned in sports and Borden has a list of those he believes are important. “Players learn how to overcome adversity and to be resilient,’’ he said. “Other lessons that kids can learn are leadership, how to be good teammates and how to deal with different personalities. Another key facet is learning how to react after committing a physical mistake.’’

Borden’s assistants this season are Mike Hanson and new junior-varsity coach Jason Weintraub. The trio no doubt will strive to get the Mustangs to play their best soccer when the tourney arrives.

Having 11 players back from last year’s 11-4-3 season is a major plus and, barring injury, that nucleus is capable of making November an exciting time for Medway soccer fans.