It was a season of development and, likely, a positive sign of things to come.

The Salem boys soccer team jumped to a 5-2-0 record before finishing 6-9-1, good enough for the No. 12 seed in the highly competitive Class L playoffs. Though they were bumped in the first round, the Blue Devils gave fifth-seeded Bishop Guertin all it could handle in a 2-0 firstround loss.

“The team truly grew, both physically and mentally, this season,” said head coach Anthony Karibian. “Where last year we played with some apprehension, this year, we opened very well ... It was due, in large part, to work in the offseason and a renewed focus with our nine seniors.”

Those seniors played together since they were 6, 7 and 8 years old, added the coach, who noted only three began the season as starters, yet seven were receiving regular minutes by the end of the year.

“They all played with the Windham travel team, and in the Windham middle school,” said Karibian. “It was really good to see the camaraderie that we had both on and off the field. It was that unity that kept us going through stretches of losses, and I am looking forward to that team unity being relayed to the younger players.”

Defender Josh Richard and midfielder Aaron Mackey led the group, Richard as a vocal leader and Mackey through his exemplary work ethic, skill and fitness level.

Classmates Charlie Sprinkling, Justin Hollinger, Brian Broom-Peltz, Mark Baroni, Ethan Carr, and brothers Craig and Corey Fitzgerald also contributed on the pitch this season. Minus the tight-knit senior unit, Karibian said 2009 promises a different look, though he doesn’t believe there will be a dropoff.

“We will certainly be in the market for new leaders. All the seniors played a role in the development of the team. With the captains’ armbands up for grabs, as well as at least five starting positions, it will be very competitive next year,” he said. “(But) much of our soccer talent was in our underclassmen. I look forward to their development as they will have another year to grow and improve.”

Karibian said he’s hopeful juniors Brett Miller and Tyler Rutledge continue their ascent as standout strikers and sophomore midfielders Max Gordon and Peter Ventola step up as well.

Junior goalkeeper Taylor Morin, he added, made giant strides this season and should only get better in 2009. Morin won sole possession of the starting job in the second half of this season.

Also expected to return next season are juniors Michael Abi- Aad, Marcus Baldwin, Cody Eller, Brandon Cole and sophomores Nicholas LaRochelle and Brian Peltz.