Team optimistic in Canadian Soccer League

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A top-four finish in the Canadian Soccer League isn't too much to ask for this year if you talk to North York Astros head coach Rafael Carbajal.

Having undergone some administrative changes during the off-season, and with 12 returning players this Canadian Soccer League (CSL) campaign, the Astros feel they are on the cusp of some monumental changes.

The National Conference Astros, who play their home games out of Esther Shiner Stadium, were knocked out of the playoffs early last year in a heartbreaker to the eventual league champion, Toronto Croatia.

It was a landmark finish to the season for the Astros organization despite lacking some of the experience and discipline that other clubs offered.

Now, with a new development league all but put into place and with a stronger commitment from all of its members - including North York native and starting defender Frank Iaizzo, who missed a good chunk of the campaign last year because he was finishing up his scholarship commitments to the University of Wisconsin - Carbajal and the rest of the coaching staff look to better days on the horizon.

"We don't have a very successful history, we're looking to change that this year," said Carbajal, who is in his second year with the club. "From what we learned last year I'm convinced 100 per cent that we have a better team.

"We're mentally ready to go further (into the post season) and that's our objective this year."

If the team's first exhibition game was any indication - a 2-0 win over Brampton Lions in late April - an improved record this season may be in the cards.

Iaizzo, a North Yorker who grew up with the North York Hearts-Azzuri program and attended high school at St. Basil's and Dante Alighieri Academy, understands what is excepted of him. He's keyed up about his first full season with the team and what it has in store for the league this year.

"We've got a bunch of young guys, great coaches who all love the game, we all know each other... it's a comfortable environment," said Iaizzo, 24. "I'm excited to be a part of it for an entire season and I look forward to seeing what we can achieve. Obviously we have a lot of talent, I think we can reach our potential this year."

"We'll definitely be holding each other accountable to perform at a top level this year," added the starting defender.

It was a bit of a rough start for the Astros, however, as they kicked off the season against Serbian White Eagles Friday, May 23 with a 3-1 loss to the Serbian White Eagles.

Two days later, they dropped a 1-0 decision to Toronto FC Academy in a matinee affair.

North York continues its schedule Sunday, June 1 with a game against the Windsor Border Stars. Game time at Esther Shiner Stadium is 3 p.m.