Now as the coach of the boys team, Moschetti has that depth and he plans to use it.
"I got guys on the bench [this year] who can play multiple positions, are in shape, and I can get them in the game," he said.
The outside midfield in particular is one area where the depth should pay off. The first two players off the bench bring the same speed and quickness as the starters, Moschetti said.
If all goes well, the Wildcats hope their depth can wear teams down and create more opportunities late in a game. Forwards up top will also rotate in. It's a strategy Moschetti noted has worked real well in the lacrosse program, and he hopes it can carry over to soccer.
"I'm hoping if I can get a lot of guys in and keep fresh legs in we can get a lot of teams tired," he said.
The Wildcats return a veteran team this year of seven seniors and 14 juniors. Many of them, if not starters last year, saw significant playing time, especially toward the end of the season.
Seniors Ben Quinn and Chris O'Gorman will anchor the center midfield for the Wildcats. They'll be relied on for scoring and setting up the forwards for opportunities. Seniors Dominick Squiciarino and Andrew Houck will anchor the defense. Houck plays sweeper and can switch the field, lefty or righty. Squiciarino plays stopper and is great at winning balls in the air, whether on defense or pushing up on offense during a corner kick.
Junior Gerald Logan will play in the goal, where he can use his large wingspan.
"He went to some camps over the summer and has improved," Moschetti said. "He really looks good coming into the start of the season."
Senior Matt Ambro and junior Will Miller will play up top. Ambro has great speed, while Miller has tremendous ball skills, Moschetti said.
The Wildcats had their first non-league game rained out last Friday against Northport. They were set to take on Sachem North Wednesday and open up the League VI season Monday at Westhampton, one of the better teams in the league.
"I don't think there's going to be any real gimme games in this league," Moschetti said.
Longwood
In the regular season finale last October, the Longwood Lions needed at least a tie to advance into the postseason. The only problem was, their opponent happened to be the newly ranked No. 1 team in the country -- the Brentwood Indians.
The Lions put up a valiant effort, ultimately losing 1-0 at home to fall short of a playoff spot with a 6-7-1 League I record. For the Lions, the loss almost felt like a victory.
"It was a great game and for us it was basically like a win, holding them to one goal," said Longwood coach Bryan McCarthy, who's entering his third year as the head coach.
Coming into 2009 the Indians are again the clear favorites in League I, so the Lions know there's little room for error if they're to return to the postseason after a one-year layover.
"I'm excited for this year because it's a group of juniors that have all played together," McCarthy said. "They've known each other and played together for a bunch of years growing up. The communication is there."
The Lions will rely on a large core of juniors after losing several key players from last year's team, notably midfielder A.J. Laza, who's already started three games for Hofstra as a freshman.
In the midfield the Lions return seniors Coskun Catalbas and Pat Najmula. Juniors Ian Cook and Ryan Zebuth return as well.
In goal the Lions return senior David Flores, who was the backup last year. Junior Rob Mancuso is fighting for time at goalie as well. McCarthy said there's no clear starter yet and the two may split time to start the season.
"It's good that they're pushing each other," McCarthy said. "They're both really good athletes."
At forward the Lions will rely on junior Soba Vincent and senior Gerbin Bonilla. Najmula will also be key offensively setting up the forwards on free kicks.
Vincent is a natural forward with speed with a "nose for the goal," McCarthy said. Bonilla is entering his third year on varsity.
Dylan Smokler will play outside midfielder and loves to shoot, McCarthy said.
"The problem we had in the past is sometimes we got too fancy -- five, six passes and no one shoots," he said. "Some of these kids are selfish and want to shoot and I'll take that all day."
The Lions will be in as equally a competitive league as they've been in years past. Past Brentwood, there are Ward Melville, Commack and Patchogue-Medford -- all among the top ranked teams in the county. One of the teams Longwood typically fared well against, Lindenhurst, dropped down to League II.
"It's going to be competitive," McCarthy said.
Rocky Point
It may have only been two scrimmages, but the results were nonetheless worth noting. The Rocky Point boys soccer team combined for seven goals in scrimmages against Port Jefferson and Eastport-South Manor, a step in the right direction for a team that struggled to score in last year's 2-14-2 season.
"For us to score seven goals, I haven't seen that," said Rocky Point coach Joe Camarda. "I'm excited."
After two straight difficult seasons, the Eagles are eager to break out and start posting some wins. They'll bump down to League VI this year, which gives them a new slate of opponents. The schedule won't necessarily be much easier in a competitive League VI, but the new surrounding at least provides for a fresh start.
"The guys have one thing in their mind and that's to improve and get some wins under our belt," Camarda said.
The Eagles will rely on seniors Paul Soranno and John Bellissimo in the center midfield and seniors Connor Molloy and Scott Tumulty on the outside.
Senior Nick Gibaldi will play striker and sophomore Steve Soltysik will anchor the defense.
In goal the Eagles have two options with senior Tom Kelly and junior Nick Grossmann. Kelly can also play in the field at any number of positions.
"He's a great athlete," Camarda said.
The Eagles have come into the year with a greater work ethic, Camarda said. Their focus is on moving the ball better.
"They want to do well this year," Camarda said.
The Eagles open the league season Monday at home against Mount Sinai.
joew@northshoresun.com