Parsippany 2021-22 preview: Looking to bounce back after winless season

PARSIPPANY REGIONAL (Co-op of Parsippany Hills and Parsippany)

Head coach: Anthony Egidio, sixth year

Division: Charette

Last year: Parsippany Regional went through a difficult 2020-21 season, finishing with an 0-11 record.

Top returners: Kyle Kirk, D, So.; Giovanni Nigro, G, Jr.; Anthony Santangelo, F, Sr.; David Zilinskis, D, Sr.

Newcomers: Billy Edwards, F, Fr.; Nicholas Hornung, F, So.; Joseph Gasparro, D, Fr.; Max Ingersoll, F, Fr.; William Shoemaker, D, Fr.

Outlook: Parsippany Regional has struggled in recent years, with its last winning season coming in 2016-17 when it finished 12-8-2 and reached the Haas Cup semifinals. Since then, it has gone 14-55-6, with an 0-11 record last season.

But with a pair of talented defenders returning along with a promising freshman class coming in, there is reason for optimism for this program to take a step forward this season. David Zilinskis, who was a First Team All-Charette pick in 2020-21 (8 g., 2 a.), is back for his senior year and will be counted on to lead the team. He’ll headline a defensive group which also includes Charette Division Honorable Mention pick in Kyle Kirk (3 g., 1 a.) along with promising freshmen Joseph Gasparro and William Shoemaker. That group will be playing in front of junior goalie Giovanni Nigro, who started every game last season.

Up front, Parsippany will be led by senior captain Anthony Santangelo, along with other forwards in Nicholas Sibilia, John Coyle, and Larry Liu, along with newcomers in freshman Billy Edwards, sophomore Nicholas Hornung, and freshman Max Ingersoll.

Numbers have put this team at a disadvantage especially in recent years, with only 11 players on the roster last year. But it does have a fairly experienced group returning along with some newcomers who figure to be solid reinforcements, so things do look promising. If the newcomers can contribute right away, this team has the potential to take a big step forward in 2021-22.

E-mail Mike Gurnis at michaelgurnis@gmail.com