New NHS Boys Soccer Coach

New NHS Boys Varsity Soccer Coach Antonio Viscuso has high hopes for the boys soccer team this season. Viscuso was most recently the Girls Varsity Soccer coach at Pomperaug HS and formerly the head coach of Masuk from 2012-2021. Viscuso was also an assistant coach at the University of New Haven for three seasons.

Newtown finished last season with a record of 10-4-2 over the course of the regular season. They defeated Norwich Free Academy in the opening round of states 3-0, before losing to South Windsor 5-0. Newtown looks to bounce back with another strong season under Viscuso.

“Listen, expectations, obviously, with a program like this, especially a storied program like this, is obviously always going for an SWC and a state title. 
I'm filling in very big shoes. You know, Brian Neumeyer, who was here before, was a mentor to me, and someone that's definitely brought a lot of success to the program. So for sure, I'm definitely looking to try to bring that back, you know, and again, it's gonna be difficult for us, but, again, the goal has always been the SWC in the states,” Viscuso said.

Viscuso has worked well with his team so far. In their most recent preseason match, they tied against Ridgefield. Their first regular season matchup comes September 11th at New Milford. Viscuso will return to Masuk for the second game of the season, September 15th. Former NHS coach Brian Neumeyer will return to Newtown with the Kolbe Cathedral of Bridgeport Panthers in the final regular season match, October 22nd. 

“Got a great group of guys here, great cohesion, good brotherhood. 
They work hard. You know, we’re still getting through preseason now. But I knew that about the guys. 
It's kind of just been the culture here, been living in Newtown for the last 15 years. Obviously, they were opponents when I was at Masuk for nine. Always knew what kind of the, you know, the culture was, and that's definitely something that's still implemented here. 
A lot of work to do in terms of, you know, on the pitch, from the footballing terms of, you know, trying to get better, you know, on the ball, with builds and keeping possession. But overall, couldn't be happier with the overall attitude that these boys have,” Viscuso said.

Viscuso has noticed the connection this team has made early on, while acknowledging where the team could improve. The coachability of this team has made Viscuso’s transition to Newtown easier.

“So again, from a strength standpoint, again, it's a coachability and obviously that we can, you know, we can work with what we have now. The brotherhood, the cohesion. 
Certainly, the weaknesses is something, you know, from the possession standpoint, on the pitch, with builds, and keeping possession. So those are definitely things that we've noticed. And again, those are all things that we, from a coaching standpoint, because they're so coachable, it’s gonna be easier for us as a staff,” Viscuso said.

The team is led by senior captains Aiden Jennings, Jonah Kaiser, and Justin Redrovan. Players already have high hopes for this season and faith in Viscuso’s coaching. 

“His coaching style is a new idea to the team. We’ve had to adapt, but we’re gonna come back stronger and we’re gonna win the SWC,” NHS junior and boys’ soccer player Chase Rio said.

Newtown has shown great expectations and optimism in their team this season. Coach Viscuso’s experience in the SWC will prove valuable to this team as they hope to make a run this season.