Princeton High looks to retain its division crown
The Colonial Valley Conference’s Colonial Division figures to provide the tightest challenge when its varsity boys soccer teams begin play Tuesday.
Reigning champion Princeton will be looking to retain its crown despite strong challenges, which are expected from just about everyone in the five-team division.
The Little Tigers return a strong cast from team which only officially lost one game a year ago. Back is 12goal scorer Noam Davidov, a senior forward, eight-goal scorer Andrew Beamer, a senior midfielder, and the bulk of PHS’ defense, led by senior twins Patrick and Ian Jacobs, who serve as the team’s goalkeeper and sweeper, respectively.
Trenton roared back onto the soccer scene last season under the leadership of firstyear head coach Joe Fink. But his second season may be a little more challenging after word that 28-goal scorer Dantouma “Ya-Ya” Toure will not be with the team as a sophomore.
However, the Tornadoes have three talented scorers returning in senior midfielders Jose Escobar, Brayan Garcia and Aba David. Former goalkeeper Raul Mendez will also move to midfield this year, which figures to give The High a pretty formidable attack.
West Windsor-Plainsboro High South also was hit by some surprise departures when senior David Philbin and junior Leor Hecht decided to play academy ball this fall. Yet, while those losses were a surprise to eight-year head coach Bryan Fisher, the Pirates still have a strong returning crew ready to challenge for the division.
Back are senior tri-captains Steven Ocampo (forward), Ramesses Moore-McGuinness (midfielder) and Luke Hansen (back) to steer WW-PS, which has posted double-digit wins the last two seasons, toward big things once again. That trio also combined to score 12 goals in 2016.
The goals are still the same at Notre Dame, but, for the first time in 41 years, the Irish will have a new varsity head coach as 30-year JV front man Rich Leedom takes over for former skipper Mike Perone.
The bad news is none of ND’s returning players scored more than two goals on varsity a year ago. Senior goalkeeper Trevor Hogan will hold down the ship, while returning senior midfielder/ forward Myles Kowalski will be joined by junior transfer Sam Griffis, who scored three goals in 2016 for Steinert High.
Hightstown will be looking to get back into the thick of the Colonial race with a talented senior class and juniors who gained valuable time on varsity a year ago.
Of the 27 goals the Rams managed last season, nine players return who put the ball in the back of the net. Junior forward Daniel Tobito, who led the team with six goals, and senior forward Jamal Anderson, who notched five before getting hurt five games into the campaign, highlight that promising group.