Boys Soccer Head Coach Resigns

By Jay Alter - Nicolae Piperea will be stepping down from the Boys Varsity Head Coaching position after five years running the program. At Darien High School during the fall, soccer does not gain much attention due to the success of the Volleyball, Field Hockey, Football, and Swimming programs who have all won an FCIAC and/or STATE title in the last two years. During Nicolae's tenure as Head Coach he recorded 18 victories in five seasons, however, last season he recorded only two victories as the program took a step backwards. Piperea highlight as a head coach was taking the 2008 soccer team to the FCIAC and STATE playoffs, however, in the 5 years as Head Coach he never recorded a post season victory. In a public statement issued to the members of the team, Piperea was optimistic about the future of Boys Soccer at Darien High School, "This is a good opportunity to step away now. There's lots of talent in the program and the new coach will have a lot to work with." Darien is forced to hire a new coach in just about a months time because pre-season for the Boys Soccer team opens in Late August. There is not a lot of time to select a new coach and that makes it difficult to transition into next season. However Piperea will try to make the transition "as smooth as possible" as he said, "I will work closely with my former assistant coaches to make the transition as smooth as possible." Senior Eric Kanigan commented on the change, "Obviously when you lose a coach there is a potential risk involved with the need to bridge the gap between old and new. However, I feel that for the past few years the program has been at a standstill, and this could be the change that the team has been waiting for, a change that can trigger the start of a bright future for Darien High School soccer." Rumors have been circulating that Girls Varsity Head Coach, John Bradley, may be interested in the position. More Details regarding the new era of Boys Soccer at DHS to follow...