Wildcat Boys Soccer lives off ‘gritty’ playstyle

After the graduation of 16 seniors from Weston High School’s 2024 boys soccer team last season, Head Coach Chris DiCecca faced some uncertainties heading into his second year at the helm.

But, following a slow start, the Wildcats (6-8-5) found their stride at the right time, reaching the MIAA state tournament and winning two playoff games to punch a ticket into the Division 3 Round of 16.

“We had to figure out our pieces last season and try to build an identity,” said DiCecca. “We were losing games we should’ve drawn and drawing games we should’ve won before becoming the best version of ourselves the last two weeks of the season.”

Entering the 2026 season, the anticipation surrounding the program is much different than it was this time last year.

The Wildcats will return 17 varsity players from last year’s roster. After logging valuable playoff matches last season, the roster is older and more experienced than it was a year ago.

Being so familiar with a good portion of the roster has allowed DiCecca to start thinking about tactics earlier than he usually does.

“I can be a little more creative,” said DiCecca. “It allows me to be more flexible and start thinking things out earlier.”

Last year, the Wildcats established themselves as a strong defensive unit, and DiCecca expects keeping opponents off of the scoreboard will be a strength of the team once again this season.

Before falling in the playoffs, Weston kept their opponents from finding the back of the net in five of seven matches.

“What’s really going to define us is our grittiness and our defensive work rate,” DiCecca said.

He said the grit the team carries is unique, and it stems from players and coaches buying into one another.

The team’s four senior captains will lead the way in maintaining this gritty team identity – all playing a direct role in stopping the opposition from scoring.

Sam Darling is expected to start as the Wildcat goalkeeper, making the transition from an outfield player to line up in net.

Centerbacks Sam Doolittle and Dylan Conley will hope to make Darling’s job as easy as possible, and Christian Lago will provide an extra layer of defensive help from his central midfield role.

DiCecca said these four players form a capable spine of the team which will be crucial in playing into the Wildcats identity.

The team has been training together without the presence of the coaching staff twice a week for the last four months.

When official practice starts next week, DiCecca said the players will be hearing a lot of two certain words – habits and care.

“Their habits are going to define our success,” said DiCecca.

These habits include coming to each and every practice focused with the intent to get better.

When it comes to “care”, DiCecca said caring about the process of working hard and caring for each other will help bring the team to where it wants to go.

“Those two words are always at the top of our minds,” said DiCecca.

The Wildcats will open their season against Maynard High School on Tuesday, Sept. 8 at 4:15 p.m. at Proctor Field.