Entering his first season at the boys soccer helm West High School, Stephen Signor undoubtedly smiled when he glanced at his roster. Despite losing his starting striker and left midfielder to poor grades, the Blue Knights returned 18 seniors, including 11 Bedford players, from a unit that reached the Class L quarterfinals last year.

Though West is off to a disappointing 2-3-1 start following a 1-0 loss at Salem on Friday, Sept. 19, Signor said the team is built for the postseason.

“We’re going to turn it around,” said Signor. “Right now, we’re just training like crazy for October, and if you look at who is beating who in Class L … and you consider the No. 8 seed won it all for the girls last season, it’s going to be very interesting come playoffs.”

Once the Blue Knights complete a current stretch that includes contests against undefeated Pinkerton and strong Londonderry, Bishop Guertin and Memorial squads, Signor said the schedule lightens up considerably, providing his players the opportunity to gain some much-needed momentum heading into the Class L tournament.

The team should not only reach the playoffs, he added, it should be right in the mix for a top-eight seed, which guarantees at least one home contest in the tourney.

“We’re hoping our training and conditioning will show in the playoffs,” said Signor. “Once we get there, our goal is no less than going all the way.” Despite the losing record, the defense has been solid, firstyear goalkeeper Erik Bukowski has performed well, and the midfield and offense have controlled play. The problem, said Signor, has been scoring. “We’re creating plenty of opportunities, it’s just a matter of putting it in the back of the net.”

That was never more evident than against Salem on Friday, Sept. 19.

The contest remained tied until the 75th minute, when a couple costly breakdowns directly resulted in Salem’s gamewinning goal.

Senior captain Sam Kelley of Bedford, the team’s primary center midfielder, sat out with bruised shins. He may have been the difference, said Signor. In addition to Kelley, Brad Andrikowich, Max Charamella and Jeremy Lacerte captain the current lot.

They’re complemented by classmates Evan Bennet, Pat Cote, Stephen Doyon, Andrew Klimm, Dan Lavine, Dylan Manz, Andrew O’Brien, Rodrigo Ojeda, Andres Onoa, David Paddol, Neil Pichette, John St. Charles, Brian Soko and Dana Steele.

Also contributing are junior Scott Schechtman, sophomores Bryan Harty and Mark Robichaud, and freshman Tony Muombo.