ON THE BALL: Hun School boys’ soccer player Alex Semler, right, goes after the ball in a game last fall. Junior defender Semler has emerged as the rock of the Hun backline and helped the Raiders make an unlikely run to the 2013 Mercer County Tournament semifinals as an 11th seed. Hun kicks off regular season play by hosting Episcopal Academy (Pa.) on September 12. (Photo by Frank Wojciechowski)

Youth will be served this fall for the Hun School boys’ soccer team.

Losing eight seniors from a 2013 squad that made an unlikely run to the Mercer County Tournament semifinals as an 11th seed, Hun will have sophomores and even some freshmen in key spots this season.

“It really is a youth movement,” said Hun head coach Pat Quirk, who led the Raiders to a 7-12 record last fall. “We have some big shoes to fill.”

In Quirk’s view, the inspirational MCT performance last fall could have a carry-over effect into 2014.

“We had a good run in the MCT last year and the returners have gained confidence from that; we have talked about it,” said Quirk, whose team opens regular season play by hosting Episcopal Academy (Pa.) on September 12.

“Once the guys play with each other a little more, we will get better. I get that feeling, like I had last year before the MCT. It is a fun group to be around and you see they like to kick it around and play the game.”

At forward, the Raiders will be depending on senior Tucker Stevenson and two young guns, sophomore Andrew Kaye and freshman Jake Keller, to show some game.

“Tucker is going to help us a lot,” said Quirk of Stevenson, who scored four goals in 2013. Andrew Kaye and Jake Keller are also going to be at forward.”

Two sophomores, Pat Nally and Connor Hufer, should get things moving forward from the midfield.

“Pat and Conor are shooting from the midfield,” said Quirk. “They are young, they have a good vision of the game and they have good feet. They can control the ball.”

Hun boasts good depth in the midfield with the return of  junior Devin Ducharme, sophomore Gunnar Schellscheidt, and senior Esham MacAuley

“Devin Ducharme is looking good, Gunnar Schellscheidt has stepped up,” said Quirk.

“Esham MacAuley has moved to the outside. He is a senior; he works hard and knows what to do. He is excited to get out there. He didn’t play much last year; he is seeing the field now and he wants to step up.”

Junior Alex Semler has stepped into a leading role for the Hun back line. “Alex is a rock back there on defense for us,” asserted Quirk. “He brings a lot of enthusiasm. He has that mentality that nobody is getting by us. He is always looking to push forward.”

The trio of sophomore James Nicholas, junior M.J. Cobb, and junior Chris Andrews will help Semler hold the fort.

“Nicholas is on the outside,” added Quirk. “M.J. Cobb has been playing for three years. Chris Andrews is also back there.”

Sophomore Logan Leppo will serve as Hun’s last line of defense as he fills the shoes of graduated star Chris Meinert at goalie.

“Logan Leppo came up through our middle school and was the starting JV goalie last year,” said Quirk.

“He has got skills, he has great reactions, quick hands, makes kick saves, the guys are getting confident in him. We want him to be more aggressive vocally but he is a sophomore and that takes a little time. It is good that we have Semler back there.”

While it may take some time for the Raiders to get into synch, Quirk believes the team can be formidable if it takes care of the basics.

“We have to work on keeping the ball moving.” said Quirk. “We have been talking to them about three keys — playing fast, having good communication, and keeping good possession of the ball.”