With most travel leagues still in full swing throughout June, it was always a challenge for Bridgeport High School boys soccer coach Keith Dumas to get his full roster of players in the same place at the same time during the three-week workout period.

 

With the three-week period giving way to expanded flex days (32 in total) that can be spread out through June and July, things have been a little better for Dumas and the Indians this offseason.

 

“It’s hit or miss with us anyway in June because a lot of our kids are still playing (travel),” Dumas said. “You throw Boys State in the middle of that and other things kids want to do beside sports, it’s always a little sporadic who is going to be there.

 

“We’ve had a really good turnout, we’ve seen 25,26 kids come out. We’ve seen just about everybody that’s coming out. There’s a couple of kids that haven’t been able to make it for a couple of different reasons but they have let me know.

 

“I do like being able to spread the days out a little more because more kids can participate and that works out better for all sports, especially soccer.”

Although the Indians lost a handful of key contributors to graduation from last year’s squad that finished 12-7-3, a wealth of talent returns and there is already an impressive level of excitement for the upcoming fall season.

 

“Coming into a new season replacing seniors that have been around your program for four years, replacing that experience is always difficult,” Dumas said. “It’s always hard to replace a 2-year or 3-year starter on a team no matter who they are. But this senior class coming up has been a really strong class for us for three years already.”

 

A year ago, the Indians knew they were going to be without all-state junior Will Madden for the majority of the season with an injury. Having younger players step up and fill his void was a noticeable trait that became more and more noticeable as the 2023-24 season played out.

 

Now, BHS adds Madden back into that mix of players that got better with each game.

 

“Having a player of that caliber not being able to play for you hurts any team but it’s kind of a blessing in disguise for the fact we had to not depend on one person so much, we had to share that responsibility,” Dumas said. “They are super excited to have Will back at 100 percent.”

 

The high school sports landscape will look significantly different this school year with football, volleyball, baseball and softball joining boys and girls basketball as four-class sports. Soccer, however is staying put at a Class AAA division and a Class AA/A division and the Indians will remain in Class AAA Region I, Section 2.

 

The only change to the region is that Fairmont Senior moves up from AA/A.

 

“That one won’t just be for bragging rights anymore,” Dumas said of the Fairmont Senior rivalry.

 

Practice for fall sports officially starts Aug. 5. Until then, the BHS boys soccer team will continue to make us of its flex days.

 

Dumas said they will practice two days a week and move to three days per week the last week there are able to use flex days. This Thursday, the Indians will travel to Morgantown for a scrimmage with the Mohigans.

 

Editor's Note: Photos of Dumas with his team from a practice session earlier this summer by Joe LaRocca.