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    Salisbury School 2024-2025 Varsity Soccer Team

    All In on La Familia: Knights Soccer Ready for Year Two of Coach Beattie Era 

    Long before the first goal of the season was scored last fall, then–first-year Head Coach Scot Beattie had one true goal for his program: to establish a culture. He wished to “create an environment that develops players for the long run.” Now, as he enters year two at the helm, Coach Beattie’s vision continues to come into focus. The catalyst? Intense buy-in from players, coaches, parents, and the entire Salisbury community. 

    First came a small-sided field positioned just outside Ward House, complete with miniature goals for students of all skill levels to use. Soon after were post–study hall pick-up games at the turfed Rudd Rink and in Myers Gymnasium. These casual contests generated a buzz around the program, culminating in an August trip to Europe. Students and coaches spent time in Switzerland, Germany, Austria, and Italy—perfecting not only their soccer skills but also growing closer as a group. The trip—so successful that it is now planned to return every year—was one of the countless layers of foundation Coach Beattie has laid for his slogan: "La Familia," or "The Family." 

    Helping build that family are senior captains Stanely Obeng Ansong ’26, Owen Hellman ’26, and Charlie Merk ’26. Obeng Ansong, a center midfielder and four-year student from Old Akrade, Ghana, enters his second year as captain and has “added passion all preseason,” according to Coach Beattie. Hellman, meanwhile, will be in net this fall for the Knights—a storyline years in the making. The sixth former from Stamford, Connecticut, has waited three seasons for this opportunity and is ready to make a difference between the pipes. He will communicate often with Merk, an excellent outside back from Hingham, Massachusetts, who was a standout last season. 

    Joining the senior captains are three junior leaders—roles Coach Beattie emphasizes as critical to the program’s future. These players are center backs Elijah Han ’27 and Thomas Molloy ’27, as well as Broughton Weekes ’27, a key defensive midfielder. All three bring valuable experience to the roster and possess outstanding leadership skills. 

    Other players expected to make a major impact on the pitch include Alexi de La Giraudiere ’26, an outside midfielder from Fort Worth, Texas, with a “nose for the goal,” and Alvaro Humera ’26, a central midfielder from Madrid, Spain. Humera has been nicknamed “The Connector” throughout preseason camp due to his excellent distribution skills all over the field. Similarly, defensive midfielder Dario Guillen ‘26 returns to the lineup and will be tasked with connecting passes to strikers Marty Kenny ’28 and Ty Moynahan ’27. Kenny, a standout player last year as a third former, has gotten faster and stronger this offseason—leaving many excited to see what he does in year two. Moynahan, on the other hand, joins the program after playing football last fall. The fifth former from Fairfield, Connecticut, quickly turned heads in practice and looks to make an early impact. Rhett duPont ’27 will team up with Han, Molloy, and Merk on the back line—creating a formidable defense in front of Hellman. 

    Other returning players include striker Aaron Kim ’27; defenders Declan Hessler ’26 and Charlie Putnam ’26; and midfielders Hans Ruiz ’26, and Vincent Valcin ‘28. They are joined by several newcomers who aim to make a name for themselves early. 

    As Coach Beattie leads his team into battle alongside assistant coaches Rodolfo Ruiz and Kash Shabazz, his aim is not only to win games but also to continue building “La Familia.”