HARDWICK – The Hazen Union boys’ soccer program will have a new head coach on the sidelines this fall, as Harry Besett takes over after a successful six-year stint leading the Lady Cat program.
The Hazen alum takes over for Alison Paradee, who steps away after becoming the first woman to coach a boys’ varsity program in school history in 2021. The Wildcats had their best season under Paradee last fall, earning a home playoff game in their third season navigating the rigors of a highly competitive Capital League. Besett led the Lady Cats to the 2020 Division IV state title match, the program’s first appearance in the big game since 1987 under coaching great Jack Strong. Newly-hired Craftsbury Academy (CA) music teacher Jay Terrian takes over Hazen’s girls’ program, bringing decades of experience as both a coach and a player.
“I am excited to take on the challenge of the boys’ program after thoroughly enjoying my work with the girls. This season both programs will be very young and it’s the perfect time for a new coach to take over each program and implement their style of play. As a former varsity player at Hazen, I thought it would be the right time for me to fulfill the alumni-coach dream. It was hard to step away from that great group of girls, but they will be in good hands with Jay who is very qualified. I expect them to be very successful this season and I’ll enjoy getting to watch their success as a fan as opposed to their coach,” said Besett.
Besett will have some holes to fill this season with the graduation losses of Gabe Michaud, Eliot Rosendahl, Dylan Washer, Fenton Meyer, Dan des Groseilliers, and leading scorer and Vermont All-State selection Xavier Hill. He does return some valuable experience on the defensive end with Craftsbury Academy junior keeper Grayson McNaughten, along with junior fullbacks Morgan Michaud and Justin Montgomery. Juniors Sully Laflam and Ari Jurkeiwitz also return on the offensive side after breakout sophomore seasons, along with sophomore Seville Murphy. Orion Hart is the only other CA player currently on the roster. Jeter Demers, Lincoln Hill, Hunter Martin, Chayse Newell, Kobe Smith, Damien Morrison, and Ethan Gann also return this fall with valuable varsity experience. The Capital League lays claim to some of the best soccer programs in the state with Harwood (D2) and Stowe (D3) capturing state championships last fall. Besett believes that the competitiveness and challenges that the teams in the Capital bring to the table provide opportunities for his young program to only learn and get better.
“I am looking forward to the challenge of working with a talented group of young men and the very tough schedule in the Capital League. I expect to face a lot of very tactically sound teams and skilled players and I’m relishing in the new challenge that will test us as a team and me as a coach,” said Besett.
The Wildcats had their final scrimmage at Richford on Tuesday and are scheduled to travel to Lamoille on Friday to open the season.
