SHS Seniors Lead Boys Soccer Back to State Tournament
A four-year member of the Southington boys soccer team, Ethan Prata has been in the front seat of the Blue Knights’ rollercoaster ride. His junior season saw Southington miss the Class LL State Tournament completely. Entering his senior year, Prata was determined to ensure the Blue Knights got back on track.
Following the arrival of new head coach Tyler Turner, Southington adopted a fresh identity. Prata wasn’t alone in his quest for success. Every Blue Knight committed to a culture of accountability and put in the work necessary to reach new heights.
“The culture,” Prata says of the biggest difference in his senior year. “Everyone loves each other, we’re all one big friend group. We know how to play together, we have that chemistry. The whole summer, even the winter we spent building that bond together, just to put it all out here.”
It didn’t take long for Turner to see what this year’s team was made of. He was aware of Southington’s past results. Still, neither he nor his team chose to sulk. They were prepared for adversity, and in the end, Prata and the entire senior class saw their initial goal come to fruition.
“Their maturity and professionalism. Knowing a standard when you’re winning,” Turner said of the team’s biggest area of growth. “We got a dose of reality this season. Last season wasn’t the greatest result-wise. This season started off like a firecracker. We started to hit some speed bumps and now we’re starting to see the adversity, who can push through and who can’t. To be fair, all of them can, and they showed that today.”
At 10-3-2, the Blue Knights have clinched a spot in the Class LL State Tournament. Southington hasn’t won 10 games since their 2016 season. The Blue Knights will try for win 11, which last happened in 2015, in their final regular season game away against New Britain on October 26.
Prata is proud that he will be ending his run with the Blue Knights in the State Tournament. But Southington isn’t resting on their laurels. The job isn’t finished. This year’s team still has more to prove.
“We’re going to keep our heads high,” Prata said. “We’ve had a rough back end of the season, but we’re going to keep our heads up and keep working.”
Southington Celebrates Their Seniors
On October 20, Southington hosted their Senior Night matchup against Newington. For Turner, it was an emotional event on numerous counts. Playing for the USA Men’s National Team from U13 to U23, he never had his own Senior Night.
Furthermore, when Turner saw the look on all of his seniors’ faces, the head coach’s own emotions began to seep out. While it may be his first year with the Blue Knights, Turner has formed a strong bond with a senior class that has helped lay a new foundation for Southington boys soccer.
“Seeing their faces, their emotions, I started crying,” Turner said. “If that’s not a tell of how important this is to them, how important they are to me, I don’t know what will be. I don’t cry for much.
Ultimately, the Blue Knights fell short in that Senior Night battle, losing 1-0. The winning goal came with just 14:38 remaining. While Prata was upset at the loss, he said that Southington, “gave it all we got, and that’s all that matters.”
Turner echoed those sentiments. There will be clear areas to improve heading into the postseason, and the Blue Knights will always strive to grow. Still, the head coach wanted his team to acknowledge how far they have come in the first place.
“You can be angry, you can be upset. We’re all competitors,” Turner said. “But you’re going to remember what position you put yourself in to be upset. We can’t sell ourselves short. We put the work in defensively. Now it’s about going back to the drawing board, going back to the field and getting into the intricacies of keeping the ball in possession instead of playing long ball.”
Prata, who is a captain alongside juniors Kevin Porzycki and Sawyer Johnston, leads a senior class of six. He is joined by Jonathan Plourde, Drew Emmendorfer, Matt Villacis, Jacob Morkos and Jacob Rogalski. To be named captain in a class like this was a dream come true for the right back.
“It meant everything to me,” Prata said. “That’s all I’ve wanted to do since my freshman year. Now that I finally got the chance, I’m proud that I’m leading the group I did lead. That means the world to me, I love these guys.”
For many of the seniors, their time together on the pitch began long before they were Blue Knights. That tight-knit group includes Rogalski, a four-year member of the team.
There were times Rogalski had to dig deep, such as when Southington fell out of contention. But he kept moving forward, and never threw in the towel. To do so next to teammates he has grown up with made playing for Southington all the more satisfying.
“Means a ton. These guys all work together as a team,” Rogalski said. “We’ve lost a lot of kids, we probably would’ve had 12 at some point. But six of us stuck together, I’ve been with four of them since I was little. It means so much to be with them still. Working with them means the world.”
While racking up wins and making the State Tournament was top priority, it wasn’t the only reason Rogalski sacrificed so much. No matter the outcome, there was no better feeling than playing for the Blue Knights. He won’t soon forget all the moments on and off the field.
“Fun is the biggest thing,” Rogalski said. “I love being with the guys. Just an awesome time with everybody. I’ll cherish these memories forever.”
The same goes for Prata. Playing alongside Rogalski, the senior class and the entire Southington boys soccer team will be forever be front and center in his memory mantel.
“How could I forget it?” Prata asked. “The culture, these people mean so much to me. So memorable, I’ll never forget these kids. These kids are like my world, I love these guys.”
Southington Prepares For State Tournament
As they enter the State Tournament, Southington will be relying on their defense. The Blue Knights have allowed two or more goals just four times this season. Over their last three matchups they have not let in more than one.
Johnston, who plays center back, has seen the team’s enthusiasm surge this season. That newfound energy helped spark Southington’s defensive revival. But now the junior is looking to take things a step further.
The Blue Knights want to turn their defense into offensive opportunities. A quicker transition will be required for success in the playoffs. Johnston says Southington is going to bring everything they have into the State Tournament. If all goes to according to plan, the team will have a more ferocious attack.
“We’re good at transitioning. But we need to build up more,” Johnston said. “We need to work as a team more. That’s something we can work on and build more over time as we grow.”
Against Newington, Southington was put into plenty of long ball situations. They’d make a stop on defense, but then be forced to send a pass deep down the field, which their opponents managed to negate. Turner is looking for the Blue Knights to play with more control and have a clear intent behind each possession. To do so, it will take all 11 players being on the same page.
“The defense has been rock solid all year,” Turner said. “Now we’re incorporating the whole team, which we’re going to benefit from.”
Since 2010, Southington has won a first-round Class LL State Tournament game just three times, most recently in 2017. Earning a victory has become the Blue Knights’ current fixation. Their 2026 run showed everyone in the program the power of perseverance. Now, Southington wants to etch their name into the record books.
“That’s our goal,” Turner said sternly of winning a first-round state tournament game. “I do care how we get it done. But at the end of the day, the result is the result. We’re putting all of our eggs into that basket now, focusing there. We’re going to give a show.”
The 2026 Southington varsity boys soccer team features seniors: Jonathan Plourde, Drew Emmendorfer, Ethan Prata, Matt Villacis, Jacob Morkos and Jacob Rogalski; juniors: Jacob Coyotecatl, Sawyer Johnston, Kevin Porzycki, Nick Dura, Ryan Andrews, Sebastian Lompart, Lucas Vera, Thomas Carbone, Luke Coloccino, Matt Grabowski, Esti Elezi, Ryan Goss and Mitch Moon; sophomores: Nathan Owen and Dario Cirikovic; and freshman Tatum Guida.
Turner is joined by JV coach Keith Orstad and freshman coach Peter Farr.
For more sports photography by NMR Photography, click here.
