Eric Keppeler '85
Sports Writter
As with any sports team at St. Joe’s, the goal of the soccer team is always to just keep winning until there are no more games left to win.
The Marauders came up just short of that goal last season after winning Monsignor Martin Athletic Association championships in each of the two year prior – including a Catholic state title in 2022 for good measure.
“A lot of those younger guys are back this year,” Thoin said. “I think we’re going to be real good. They’re all skilled and it’s fun to watch them – it’s just a matter if we can get the young guys comfortable with the kind of game we play. They’re going to get hit by big kids, and if they can handle that we’ll be fine.”
St. Joe’s finished 14-4 overall and 8-1 last season in the MMAA – second to arch-rival Canisius in both the regular season and playoff championships.
The Marauders were involved in a number of lopsided wins and cumulatively outscored their opposition 74-14, posting seven shutouts along the way.
The team ended up ranked No. 5 among WNY large schools and No. 4 among New York State Catholic Schools.
Thoin said his team was undone last season by a couple of untimely injuries to key personnel – and he feels like that’s the great obstacle his team will face again this year.
“We have to stay healthy,” he said. “If we can do that, I think we’ll be fine. If we get hit with an injury in the wrong place, that’ll complicate life a little bit. But otherwise, I think we’ll be in pretty good shape.”
Thoin has kept 25 athletes on his roster, representing a good blend of experience and young talent; there are 10 seniors and 15 underclassmen.
The team returns a number of key players in the right places, including senior captains Noah Tomasula and Michael Schraufstetter.
Tomasula is back at midfield, while Schraufstetter returns to anchor the defensive unit.
Up front, junior Carson LoTempio is back at striker, while junior Primo Manno and sophomore Carter Petri are also back in a talented midfield. Petri was the third-leading scorer on the team last year with 20 points, and he’ll again be counted on to provide an offensive spark.
Thoin has never been shy about playing freshmen on the varsity, and this year is no exception as he turns to ninth grader Jackson Schwallie to step in as the team’s goalkeeper.
“We’re not big by any means this year, but they all seem to be comfortable with what we’re doing,” Thoin said. “We’re going to be good.”
Currently the program’s overall record is 600-182-60 through 47 years.
