Thursday, October 1, 2026
Coming off one of the most successful seasons in program history, Calhoun boys soccer boasts barely any varsity experience but is eager to compete.
The Colts not only graduated their entire starting 11, including six All-County selections, but also most reserves from a 16-1-1 club that reached the Nassau Class AA title game.
“We had a phenomenal group of seniors we’re going to miss,” coach Chris Vogel said. “They’re more than just exceptional soccer players. They’re great kids.”
Among the graduates this past June were some of the county’s top players: midfielder and three-year captain Drew Lennon, goalkeeper Austin Sheehan and Offensive Player of the Year Jacob Bacharach (14 goals, 18 assists.)
Vogel’s revamped roster includes just a few varsity holdovers and a large number from a 13-win JV team. He said the offseason went as well as he could’ve imagined.
“I’m sure there’s talk out there about us losing everyone,” he said. “Our JV also had a great season. We’ll see how those younger guys adjust to the speed and physicality of varsity, but there’s definitely a good amount of talent.”
Vogel described the conference schedule as “ruthless.” In addition to defending state champion Garden City, which defeated the Colts 4-1 in the Nassau AA final, Calhoun will tangle with Mepham, Carey, MacArthur, Long Beach and Jericho twice apiece.
Senior Jonas Wan is the Colts’ lone returnee with varsity points on his resume. He netted a pair of goals and assisted on four others in 2025. He’ll play center-midfield and serve as a captain along with senior forward Noah Katz, who also was a member of the varsity.
Katz has gotten bigger and stronger, Vogel said, and will be asked to pick up some of the offensive slack along with senior Jonathan Mpoy, a speedster who can be dangerous with room to operate. “Noah is well-rounded and Jonathan does things with his speed you just can’t teach,” Vogel explained.
There’s big shoes to fill between the pipes. Sheehan blanked both New Hyde Park and South Side in the playoffs and had nine regular-season shutouts. Senior Sheldon Soya was last year’s backup keeper and brings size and physicality to the position. Sophomore Shaun Sullivan was outstanding for the JV, Vogel said, and is very much in the mix to earn major time.
Jonas Wan’s younger brother Mason, a sophomore, was a JV standout as well and is likely to make his presence felt in the offensive zone. “Mason is super disciplined and skilled,” Vogel noted. “I’m not sure of his exact role but he’s a big piece.”
Defensively, the Colts will lean on three others debuting at the varsity level. Alessandro Pena, Nathaniel Odell and Aidan Carr. Pena is one of the roster’s most-versatile players but is likely to begin the campaign at fullback. Odell is a defensive middie who does everything well and brings a strong skill set, while Carr is a tough on-ball defender at center-back.
“It’ll be a year of growth and development,” Vogel said.
