With the 2013 boys’ soccer season on the horizon, New Providence Pioneers look to have a bounce back season after a tumultuous 2012 campaign.

Despite the loss of key players such as strikers Conor Pellas and Kyle Kroeger, and defenders Dan Smith and Matt Schwartz, returning players believe this year’s team can vastly improve this season.

“This season, the team is really coming together strong,” senior co-captain Zain Stedman said. “It’s encouraging to see the progress we are making and how well we can play together.”

Assistant coach David Fama has a positive outlook on how this year’s team will be successful.

“[We hope to be] Playing solid defense, which should be our strength, getting contributions on offense out of a number of first year varsity players, and coming together as a team,” Fama said.

If the Pioneers are to get off an auspicious start, they will have to play outstanding soccer against some quality opponents like Summit, Rahway, and Governor Livingston early in the season.

In order to do so, not only will returning players Michael Zamora, twins John and Aage Vetter, and James Burke have to step up, but underclassmen Sean Regan and Jimmy Evangelos are expected to put forth major contributions toward the varsity squad.

“This year is going to be about taking our season one game at a time and as long as that is our focus, the results will be in our favor,” Stedman said.