The Bridge FA U16 Boys Academy team is doing things the right way.

Clark Brisson’s squad gave a lot of 1993 birth year players a run out last spring and even now is incorporating a number of ‘93s and ‘94s in the squad. Whatever they’ve had to give away in terms of physical presence they are gaining in experience, and as the players increasingly match their counterparts in size, they are performing well, as an 8-7-4 record overall thus (3-3-2 in the Atlantic Division) indicates.

“The thing about our team is it’s built on the younger age group,” Brisson said. “We feel that next year we’ll be that much stronger with our U16 team with all the 94s who are getting experience. We are so young compared to last year, but they have held their own even in the face of the physical disadvantage vs. some of the teams. They’re learning to deal with this and that’s a part of becoming better players. The better players are the ones who have adapted to this.”

It starts in the back for the Charleston-area club and goalkeeper Robert Beebe is a top prospect of the 2011 class, already attracting attention from several top schools.

“He’s had a really good year for us,” Brisson said. “It started with him being in the Academy last year so he knows what this is about and is providing good leadership.”

Center back William Ballentine anchors the defensive line. Tradd Lovenr has struggled with injury and Justin White has helped deputize the other central defensive slot. Matthew Hilton starts at left back. Keith Jackson is out for the season at right back with a foot injury, so Hayden Pierpoint and Justin White are filling in there.

Joseph Amon is the anchor of midfield for Bridge.

“He sits in front of the back four and he’s the best guy at that position for us,” Brisson said. “He’s strong in the tackle, good in the air and distributes the ball well for us.”

There is a lot of skill in midfield with Devin L'Amoreaux and Andrew Settlemire both seeing time at attacking mid, while Nicolas Rittmeyer plays something of a free role as the club tries to isolate him against defenders due to his good pace and technique.
 
Nestor Jaramillo and Wesley Eads make for a good striking tandem.

“They work together pretty good,” Brisson said. “They played together up top at U14. Wesley is the more direct forward and get behind defenses, while Nestor provides more skill, cutting and technique.”

Following is the Bridge FA U16 Academy Roster:

Joseph Amon, Ryan Arambula, William Ballentine, Connor Baughnight, Robert Beebe, Erik Clark, Eli Dent, Wesley Eads, Alex Franchak, Matthew Hilton, Keith Jackson, Nestor Jaramillo, Taylor Katsanis, Devin L'Amoreaux, Tradd Lovern, Andrew Musheff, Brandon Phinney, Hayden Pierpoint, Nico Rittmeyer, Cole Rymer, Blake Seale, Andrew Settlemire, Zach Shamah, Casey Shumberger, Jarrel Smalls, Weston Stitt, Dillon Thies, Justin White