Knights ready to make run at Red Division title
Defending champs off
to solid start, and
getting better
With a 4-2-2 record, the Old Bridge High School boys soccer team is beginning to play with the consistency that made the Knights champions of the Greater Middlesex Conference Red Division last season.
Coach Rich Mould’s team has played well in victories over Hunterdon Central, Edison, St. Joseph’s and Toms River South, as well as its two defeats at the hands of East Brunswick and Scotch Plains. In both ties (against South Brunswick and Monday against J.P. Stevens), Old Bridge lost the lead.
"Those were games we should have won," said coach Rich Mould. "At the same time, we have to give credit to the other team for coming back."
Nevertheless, things are looking up for the Knights.
Senior forward Scott Gahagan already has 10 goals, four coming in the 4-0 victory over Edison.
John Leone has been getting scoring opportunities and Mould expects the sophomore to add to his totals of one goal and three assists.
Veteran Ed Cwiek anchors the middle. A steady two-way player, Cwiek has a strong shot from long range and has contributed three goals and a pair of assists.
Senior Alexandro Battle and junior Steve Villalobos have both missed recent games with leg injuries. Battle is day to day, according to Mould, while Villalobos is a week away from returning.
Meanwhile, freshman Tim Lucas has stepped in and played very well, scoring a goal and three assists over the past two games.
Seniors Joe Niemi and Dewey Arway patrol the outside middle. Nick Picioco and Dave Haczyk provide depth off the bench.
Defensively, the Knights rely on sweeper Ian Gorham and stopper Steve Humiston to halt opposing rushes. Dan Rispoli and Bryan Fitzpatrick also see time on the back line. Anthony Pugliese and Bob Karmel have been splitting time in goal. Timo Bruno is the reserve netminder.
"The team has been playing well for 80 minutes, and I’m starting to see the same chemistry we had last year," Mould said. "They’re working the ball up field much better. They’re showing good discipline, and they’re making very few mistakes. That kind of effort results in wins. We’ve had it in most of our games. Our goal is to keep playing at that level."
Old Bridge is off until Saturday when the Knights will meet Piscataway.
Repeating as Red Division champs this year will be a difficult task, with unbeaten East Brunswick playing superb soccer through the early season. The Bears are the top-ranked team in the Greater Middlesex Conference, and have been dominant in their games thus far. In fact, only one team, South Brunswick, had even scored on the Bears’ defense entering this week’s play.
The Knights appear to have the best shot at knocking off the Bears this year and will look forward to having the chance later this season. The Bears will come to Old Bridge on Oct. 11 in a game that will likely decide the Red Division title.
The Knights are currently ranked third in the GMC, behind only the Bears and A.L. Johnson, but could challenge for that top spot with a win over East Brunswick next month. The Knights surely remember how it felt to win the competitive Red Division last year, and will be ready to make a run at it once again.