Don Denham is still trying to figure out his team. 

The head coach of the Barrington High School boys soccer team said this year’s squad has a ton of potential — great team-speed, prolific goal-scorers, talented defenders. It also has some big holes to fill. 

Last year’s state championship team boasted a potent midfield, but three key pieces have moved on. Evan Memoli and Brady Andrew graduated, and Brooks Mello is not playing soccer this fall. Denham said there are a number of players who can step in at midfield, including Merritt Birbiglia, Cole Noyes, Bryce Andrew, Zander Campo, Chan Tuzel, and Jack Luttrell.

“Right now it’s a revolving door…” Denham said. 

“Only time is going to help them.”

Denham said midfield play is crucial to the team’s success. 

“The twenty-five yard-line to the twenty-five yard-line is the most important part of soccer,” Denham said. 

Barrington graduated 11 players from last year’s state championship squad, Denham said, including All-American goalie Liam Helfrich. Denham said Zach Sheinberg and Cooper Robertson have played well in net for the Eagles this season. He also praised the play of his defense, which is led by Kelly Hill and Daniel Raessi. He said Sean Mohlman, Ver Regge and Mason Wildeman are also key contributors.

The Eagles’ attack is impressive, Denham said. It is led by Ollie Cope, who was Barrington’s leading scorer last year. 

Barrington has enjoyed a solid start to the season. The Eagles defeated East Greenwich 4-1 last week — Cope netted two goals, and Tuzel scored twice. Tuzel, a junior, also had two assists. Denham said Barrington’s victory could have been even more lopsided: “We missed a PK,” he said, referring to a penalty kick. 

In a 2-1 loss to South Kingstown, Barrington just missed on scoring the equalizer. One of the near-goals was a stinger that ricocheted off the cross-bar. 

On Saturday, Sept. 12, Barrington was back in the win column with a 3-2 victory over Portsmouth. Cope was again in the scoring column. 

Denham said it is difficult to see how the division will shake out this fall. 

“We should be in the mix,” he said. “It looks all over the place right now.”

Denham is entering his 19th season as head coach of the Barrington High School boys soccer team. He said he is just as excited to start this season as he was in year one. 

“I understand how much it means,” he said.