Profiles


-2001 Season-


Players
Kyle Sasloe (C) Senior forward, tri-captain, and four-year starter. Several game winning goals.
Amar Bellara (C) Senior defender and tri-captain. Named ALL-FCIAC First Team and All-Area. Impact player in the back who solidified the defense. Will play in college next season.
Dan Schwartzman Senior midfielder who scored first varsity goal aganist Westhill. Tireless player who contributed on both wings. Two year varsity member.
Andres Rua Senior forward experiencing his first full season on varsity. Scored first varsity goal against Harding. A pure hustler.
Bobby Hoyt Senior defender who made his retrun to the varsity level after taking a year off. Major contributor in the back. Added a physical presence as well as a needed ability to win the ball in the air.
David Granata Senior defender. Diligent worker who refused to give up. Improved tremendously over his four years. Received Coach's Award and FCIAC Scholar Athlete Award.
Steve Surace (C) Junior tri-captain and starter in the center midfield. Three year varsity member. Possesses fine skill and mature vision. Tri-captain for 2002.
Ben Laughton Junior defender and three year varsity member. Outstanding individual defender with excellent ball skills. Named tri-captain for 2002. Named Team MVP for 2001.
Kiko Restrepo Junior midfielder and two year varsity member. Quick wing player who runs well off the ball.
Ross Martin Junior forward/midfielder, two year varsity member, First Team ALL-FCIAC selection, and All-Area Team member. Speedy, skillful player who scored several game winning goals. Named tri-captain for 2002. Received Play of the Year Award for 28 yard goal versus Fairfield.
Luis Hernandez Junior midfileder spending his second year on varsity. Has excellent vision and tight ball control.
Mike Annunziato Junior forward spending his second year on the varsity level. A constant worker who acted as the team's spark plug. An emotional inspiration with a knack for scoring.
Alfredo Perez Junior goalkeeper in his second varsity season. Named Most Improved player, along with fellow keeper Paul Melitsanopolous. Made countless big saves while battling a serious thumb injury. Can also contribute as a field player.
Jason Duran Junior midfielder experiencing his first varsity season. Started half of the games and contributed with big offensive contributions, especially versus St. Joe's and Ridgefield.
Naki Mourtides Junior defender in his first season with the varsity squad. Played solid defense and became involved with some significant offensive runs. Strong player who should contribute even more next season.
Jason Colangelo Junior defender in his first varsity season. Can play either wing defender position.
Peter Zezima Junior midfielder in his first varsity season. A work horse who has improved nicely over the past two years.
Paul Melitsanopoulos Sophomore goalkeeper who, along with Alfredo Perez, was named Most Imporved Player. An intense keeper who had several big wins this season.
Dean Melitsanopoulos Freshman forward who scored 15 goals. Named All Area. Excellent speed and maturing skill.
Steve Cenatiempo Freshman midfileder who earned starting spot by opening day. Creative and skillful.
Joe Funicello Hard-nosed freshman defender who can play any position. Starter all season.



Coaches

Kurt Simonsen - A lifelong Norwalk resident, Coach Simonsen just completed his third year as the varsity head coach, compiling a combined record of 32-15-6. Before taking over, he served as the program's junior varsity and freshmen coach for four years. A 1990 graduate of McMahon High School, he went on to earn a Bachelors Degree in English from the University of Connecticut at Storrs and a Masters Degree in Secondary Education from the University of Bridgeport. During the school day Coach Simonsen works as an English Teacher at Norwalk High. In the off season, he serves as the assistant coach for the varsity baseball team and coaches in the Norwalk Indoor Program at Brien McMahon. He resides in Norwalk with his wife and daughter.

George Kasparis - A 1994 graduate of Norwalk High School, Coach Kasparis just finished his third year as the varsity's assistant coach. He earned his Bachelors Degree in History from the University of Connecticut at Storrs and a Masters Degree in Secondary Education from the University of Bridgeport. While holding a state certification in history education, Coach K teaches at Norwalk High in the ESL program. Outside of soccer he is the freshman baseball coach. He resides in Norwalk.

Joe Surace - Coach Surace has just completed his second season on the Norwalk staff, guiding both the freshman and junior varsity teams. While also holding a referee certification, Coach Surace spends much of his time actively coaching in Norwalk Junior Soccer for two travel teams. Resides in Norwalk with his wife and three soccer playing sons.


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