Hopewell favored in Valley as league moves to two-division format
When it comes to varsity boys soccer, the 2018 Valley Division of the Colonial Valley Conference looks a lot like the Patriot Division did a year ago, only different.
The CVC returned to a two-division format this season. The Patriot was eliminated, and its teams became part of the new Valley, which also includes holdovers Hamilton and Nottingham.
Defending Patriot Division champion Hopewell Valley figures to be the cream of the crop despite graduating 10 players from last season. Head coach Ed Gola’s squad was the only member of the new division to post doubledigit wins in 2017, going 195-1 on the way to the NJSIAA North Jersey Section 2 Group III final, where it lost to eventual state champ Mendham.
“We have a solid group coming back, but we lost some impact players,” Gola said. “The challenge for us will be to get some consistency.”
Senior returnees like Ian DeRusha, Ben Morreale, Pat Mormile and Lucas Fesmire will spearhead the Bulldogs’ defense in front of goalkeeper Carmen Zangrilli, while their classmates Luke Tartaglia, Eric Goldberg, Eric Sawicki and Zach Fedor will direct the offense.
Lawrence finished right behind Hopewell last fall, and returns another solid squad.
“I think we can be one of the teams in the Valley to challenge for the title,” said head coach Keith Fithen, whose 2017 squad went 7-6-4 overall. “Right now, we’re working on finishing.”
Like most, the Cardinals are trying to find a player to put the ball in the net consistently. Senior midfielders Manny Morales and Jack Schloesser should help in that area, while classmates Jack O’Reilly and Cole Heinz try to nail down the defense. Senior Ryan Sullivan and junior Alex Hatfield will take turns in goal and in the field.
Steinert also managed seven wins a year ago, yet struggled with 12 losses. Even with 10 players having graduated, the Spartans have a number of key returnees ready to change things.
“This is the first team I’ve had which will be old and experienced,” third-year head coach Anthony Tessein said. “There’s a nice balance with the younger guys. They push each other. I’m hoping they can find sustained success.”
With senior attackers like forward Max DiPierro and midfielders Frank DiNatale and Adrian Strawinski, Steinert should be O.K. up top, while classmates like Jared Brunow, Matt Dunnington and Kyle Kontura help clog the backfield.
Robbinsville was disappointed in its 5-10-4 finish last season and wants to show better this fall, but will need to do so with a younger contingent.
“We have a lot of fresh faces,” fifth-year head coach Jeff Fisher said. “We’ve got some young, talented guys, but it’s hard to expect too much from them.”
One player not new to the mix is senior midfielder/forward George Fotiou, who led the Ravens with six goals and five assists in 2017. This season, Fotiou has a chance to be the best player in the CVC, even though he is sure to be heavily marked again.
Nottingham, Ewing and Hamilton finished with four, three and two wins, respectively, last season. Each is hoping to improve.
“The guys are working hard,” 12th-year Northstars head coach Mike Braender said. “They need to play as a team.”
Nottingham has one of the CVC’s top goalkeepers in junior Pat Luckie. He will need the team’s newcomers and returnees to pick up their games at both ends of the field to drive the Northstars.
“I’m happy with the way our varsity is playing,” third-year Blue Devils head coach Dave Waseleski said. “There’s a good balance. Our returnees have been playing a long time, and they want to take the next step.”
Ewing will count on a senior group which includes Evan Jurczynski (forward/ midfield), Alex Medwick (forward/midfield) and Kyle Marks (goalkeeper/midfield) to steer it toward bigger things.
“We’re keeping our numbers smaller in hopes that everyone will have an opportunity to contribute,” fourthyear Hornets head coach Chris Morales said.
Morales will count on leadership from senior forward Gerardo Perez, senior midfielder Daniel Cua and senior back Manny Arevalo to keep Hamilton playing as a unit in order to move up. Mizsak (Jr., B), Gabriel Ryba (Jr., M), James Dean (So., F/B), Emil Lewandowski (So., M/F), Matthew Paterno (So., B).
— The Hornets lost 14 players to graduation, making it a tough year for a divisional realignment. The pieces are still there for this team to improve, but the newcomers will have to help. Morales has a plan in place to help these players improve.
Outlook
Morales (Sr., M), Rodrigo Lopez-Lopez (Sr., M), Bernon Gutierrez (Sr., F), Alex Hatfield (Jr., G/B), Edwin Garcia (Jr., M/F), Ryan Sargent (Jr., B), Romulo Lopez (Jr., F), Alessandro Medina (Jr., M), Eduardo Estrada (Jr., M), Joshua Paredas-Orellana (Jr., F/M), Connor Monaghan (Jr., B), Damian Szumigraj (So., B/M).
— With only eight players having graduated after a much-improved season, the Cardinals should have high hopes this fall. Defense always comes first, but the offense will need to come from somewhere. Lawrence should challenge for the division title.
Outlook