Canton soccer team bolstered by strong senior leaders

  BY ED WRIGHT

  Canton's boys soccer team will only go as far as its captains lead it this fall.
  Based on the the captains' impressive  mix of on-the-field skill and off-the-field leadership traits, that could  be deep into the post-season tournament.
  "We have great senior leadership," said Canton coach George Tomasso. "Overall, I like the fact that this team is energetic and they want to win."
  The skill set of the Chiefs' four senior captains -- Jon Dugan, Yusef Bazzy, Brandon Tolinski and Matthew Edwards -- matches up with most teams around.
  "Brandon Tolinski offers a lot of hard work and dedication," said Tomasso. "He's very tenacious and he has a great sense of finishing.
  "Jon Dugan is one of the most athletic defenders in the history of Canton's program. He's very organized, very patient and he defends very, very well.
  "Yusef Bazzy is one of the smartest players I've ever coached. He's a very intelligent player who understands when a teammate is in position or out of position.
  "Matt Edwards is a great athlete who has a great sense of what to do with the ball. He has a creative mentality as well as incredible off-the-field leadership qualities."
TALENTED CORE OF YOUNGSTERS
  Dugan said he's looking forward to a strong senior season.
  "We're not a real experienced team, but we have basically everything," he said. "We have some new kids coming in, some new talent, that should make the program strong for upcoming seasons and this year.
  "We're defense first, then we'll go from there."
  The Chiefs' set-up will look different to opponents this season, according to Tomasso.
  "We're making some formation changes due to our personnel," he said. "The changes should help us attack and defend more effectively."
  Canton will be solid between the pipes thanks to return of last year's starting goal-keeper, Kai Walther.
  "He's a very athletic goalie who makes the saves he's supposed to make and he also comes out and makes some big-time saves," said Tomasso. "I couldn't ask for anything more than him."
  Other pivotal players in the mix will be Mitch Pasuniak, Kevin Zemanski, Jordon Norton, John Allen and Connor Furguson, Tomasso noted.