Experienced Chargers set for a run at division title
Spotswood boys soccer team has high hopes
The most a high school coach can hope for entering any season is to have a veteran squad, complete with players with at least some varsity experience.
While it is said at all levels of athletics that there is no substitute for experience, it is particularly true with high school sports. Although some athletes will excel at any level, many need the game experience to work on their weaknesses while strengthening their overall game.
That’s why coaches love to see the same faces when they start a new season.
Third-year Spotswood High School boys’ soccer coach Chris Gozick has plenty to look forward to this season, as 10 of 11 starters return from last season’s competitive 8-8-1 squad.
And with a year of varsity experience under their belts, the coach is enthusiastic about the start of the soccer season.
"That’s our strength: experience," Gozick said. "We have a lot of key seniors who have varsity experience and have played since sophomore year. There’s a nice level of cohesiveness and mental strength."
The Chargers, who open the season on Sept. 12 against J.P. Stevens of Edison at home, feature senior Greg Zohovetz, a three-year starter, in goal.
Helping him out on defense are senior captains Joe Wogan and Sean Wiggins, Carol Allen, also a senior, junior Brian Kalendek, and seniors Anthony Cheng and A.J. Taylor.
The midfield is also senior-dominated, with a trio of 12th-graders: Reuben Gamadia, Rick Drude and Bhavesh Patel. Junior Chris Palumbo is also on hand in the middle.
The Chargers’ offensive mainstays are seniors Peter Forte and Brad Pluhowski, both forwards.
Also up front are sophomore Tim Logan, senior Kevin Hayes and another senior, Jimmy Knarr.
Gozick, who is assisted by junior varsity coach Matt Koger and freshman boss Martin Dempsey, has some well-defined goals for the 2001 campaign.
"Last year we finished third in the Blue Division, and we’re hoping to improve on that," he said. "Of course, it’s a very competitive division, with JFK, Monroe, South River, Metuchen and Middlesex.
"We’ve also moved back from Group II to Group I, and I hope we’ll be competitive in the Central Jersey tournament," Gozick added. "The big motivation for my seniors is that I remind them this year is their last chance. This is it."
Many of the Spotswood players have been on the varsity squad for three years now and understand that this is their last chance to be part of a championship squad. A few years ago, people were talking about the "young Spotswood Chargers," and how they were looking to gain varsity experience, and win some games along the way.
This season, an experienced Spotswood squad hopes to do more than that.