Jad Tayyoun harbors big dreams for the Belmont High School boys soccer team.
The junior left back doesn’t just anticipate a return to the MIAA Division I tournament this fall. He wants more. A lot more.
“Honestly, I’m not really settling for anything short,” Tayyoun said. “I really want to win that state title.”
Capturing MIAA Division I gold would mean quite the jump for the Marauders, who narrowly missed the MIAA Division I tournament with a 6-7-5 record last fall. Had they won just one of their last five games, they would’ve been in the tournament.
Coach Chris Camille didn’t want to talk about last year. He’s flipped the page. This season a program-record 125 players registered to try out, demonstrating a belief in the program. Unfortunately for about half the group, there’s only room to carry 65 players across the program.
Middlesex League All-Stars Daniel Chang and Jake Diorio graduated, but many returners re-enter the fold. About half of last year’s starters – and double-digit varsity players in all – come back.
“I think we have some very technical players,” Camille said. “Players who are good with the ball. It’s good to know you have that floor… [Now], it’s how you bring it all together.”
Junior Robert Hoerle is the team’s leading returning scorer. Senior Meshkeen Javeden is the returning leader in assists, also a vocal leader with a booming voice and knack for making the right play. Tayyoun will help lead the defense, and senior captain Itai Golani will play center midfield. The program also got two players back from NEFC and MLSNext. Watch for sophomore midfielder/back Yuto Yashiro and senior center back Yassin Abdelazim to make immediate impacts.
Goalkeeper will be an ongoing battle between senior Will Hugg and junior David Klimasmith (a Belmont Voice contributor). A winner may not be decided until partway through the regular season, Camille said.
Marquee matchups to watch start Sept. 19 with, as always, the ninth annual Soccer Night In Belmont. This year’s edition of the varsity double-header pits the boys against Newton North at 7 p.m. The girls face Westford Academy at 4:30 p.m.
Other key contests include a game against reigning Division I Final Four participant Newton South on Sept. 10 at 4:30 p.m., at Cambridge Rindge and Latin on Oct. 17 at 6 p.m., and another one vs. Watertown in the season finale on Nov. 2 at 7 p.m. An increase in non-league games offers an opportunity to increase power ratings.
Golani said the roster is a “very strong” group, full of calm and composed players.
“Our chemistry is up there as well,” Golani said. “I think overall, we’re a very good team together and have a bunch of talent.”
Tayyoun agreed with Golani about an increase in team chemistry. That, he said, can play a big role in making 2026 an “impactful year.”
“We’re all really close,” Tayyoun said. “Not even just skill wise… we’ll have a lot more grit and heart in how we’re playing. I think it’s going to be a great year. I’m really looking forward to it.”