This year’s boys’ soccer team used last year’s controversial post-season disqualification as a strong motivator this fall.

The team, which ended the regular season with a 7-4-5 record, made it to the quarterfinals of the Class LL state tournament, which was won by Glastonbury and reached the semifinals of the FCIAC tournament, with the eventual victors being Greenwich.

Much of the team’s success can be credited to senior captain David Mollenthiel, recently named to first-team All-FCIAC for his play at goalkeeper.

This season, Mollenthiel and his team were “extremely motivated [because] last year we were stripped from our chance of winning the championship.”

Last year’s boys’ soccer team was controversially disqualified after reaching the CIAC final for the first time in 20 years.  

Mollenthiel said, “we [were] fighting for not only us, but the kids last year.”

Senior defender Brandon Tyndale agreed. “We have heart, passion, and we played a different type of soccer; we wanted it all.”  

Besides Mollenthiel, senior forward Felipe Alves was also named to the first-team All-FCIAC. Sophomore defenders Tyler Warren and junior Alex Pane, and seniors Joe Morocho, midfielder, and striker Austin Jacobs were named to the All-West team.

As a captain, Mollenthiel strived to give his all in practice and games. Mollenthiel has registered nine clean sheets, and conceded an average of 0.87 goals per game this season. His highest number of saves in one game was 12, achieved vs Ridgefield.

His motivation and will to always be at his best gives him the qualities of a great leader.

“I bring the hype and motivation,” he said, adding that it was his job to give the pregame speeches and get everyone psyched up to win.

“David motivated the team to keep up the intensity and play hard,” Tyndale said. “It was always like it was our last game that we’d will ever play.”

Tyndale highlighted the importance that Mollenthiel had on the back line, saying “he gave us leadership and an ambition to win.”

Senior striker Carl Wilson added: “Mollenthiel is very respected not only because he’s a captain, but for the passion and desire he puts into winning the game.”

Coach Anthony Howard couldn’t be reached for comment.