Unbeaten Raider booters finally coming home

Rival Bridgewater comes to town for showdown

By: Rudy Brandl
   The Hillsborough High boys’ soccer team will finally play a home game tomorrow afternoon at Auten Road School. And it’s a big one.
   Hillsborough, which entered the week with a 4-0 record in both the Delaware Division and overall, will host perennial rival and nemesis Bridgewater-Raritan at 4 p.m. A victory would give the Raiders an early hold on the division race, while a loss would put the Panthers (3-1) right back in contention.
   If the Raiders lose, veteran head coach Rob Richard may be tempted to request an all-road schedule. Hillsborough dominated its first four road games to the tune of a 9-2 goal differential, posting shutouts at North Hunterdon and Franklin while allowing one goal at Hunterdon Central and Warren Hills.
   "We’ve got a real good group of guys," senior co-captain Scott Visnic said. "We didn’t lose too many guys and we were pretty competitive last year. We’re just that much better after another year playing together."
   "I’m afraid to play at home," Richard added with a laugh. "The kids are patient more than anything else. They know they can afford to be patient and not fall into that kick-and-run style. We didn’t have the maturity last year, but they’re beginning to have a lot of confidence in their ability to play attractive soccer."
   Richard also credited the expertise of assistant coach Eric Puma, who has made some valuable strategic suggestions during the early season matches. Richard has enjoyed the luxury of having that extra set of coaching eyes on the sideline to help with game day adjustments.
   The Raiders were supposed to host Central back on Sept. 15, but the Auten Road field was soaked so the game was moved to Flemington. Hillsborough once again geared to play its home opener last Friday against Phillipsburg, but heavy Thursday night rainfall forced that game to be moved to Oct. 6.
   Hillsborough ran its road win streak to four straight with a 3-1 triumph at Warren Hills in last week’s only contest. Junior Tony Flores scored his team-leading third goal of the season off an assist from Eric Stickle in the first half and the Raiders never trailed.
   The Raiders picked up the pace in the second half and clearly carried the action. Visnic, the centerpiece of this year’s attack, orchestrated a few dangerous chances and set up two goals. Lamar Spencer cashed in on the first opportunity and Flores finished the next one for a 3-0 lead.
   Five different Raiders have accounted for the team’s first nine goals, with Flores and Spencer the only multiple scorers. That’s a testament to the type of balance this team throws at the opposition.
   "We have a bunch of guys who can play," Visnic said. "There’s guys on the bench who can come in and fill holes."
   While the scoring has been balanced, the defense has been stingy. Both opposition goals have come with the Raiders leading 3-0, so they’ve done nothing more than end shutout bids by HHS senior goalkeeper and co-captain Rob Szymanik.
   Stickle, who has also scored a goal on a booming free kick, is the club’s best man marker. He’s been very effective neutralizing the opposing team’s featured offensive player.
   Richard touted fullback Chris Giordano as the "man of the match" in last week’s victory over Warren Hills. Giordano hustled to win possession of loose balls to create counterattacks.
   The Raiders are more dangerous this year when attacking with Visnic in the midfield. The smooth, skilled senior has clearly made an impact since moving up from the sweeper position.
   "I play midfield for my club team and it’s a totally different game," Visnic said. "I get to go up and attack. The main objective for me is to get some goals and set up goals for other people."
   Visnic and his mates are eagerly anticipating tomorrow’s clash against the Panthers. Bridgewater has enjoyed the better of this rivalry in recent years, but the Raiders are primed to take command this season.
   After starting the season with a 2-0 loss to Central, the Panthers bounced back with consecutive 3-0 victories over Watchung Hills and North Hunterdon and a 2-1 win over Franklin. Bridgewater returns just three starters — midfielders Mario Pacheco and Jeff Kurkowski and defender Kyle Hoffman — from last year’s team that went 13-3-1 and shared the Somerset County title with Pingry, but no one in Raider country is taking the Panthers lightly.
   "It’s going to be a very important game," Richard said. "We’re going to be in for a battle. I hope we have the maturity to keep our rhythm and not fall into their traps."
   "There’s nothing we have to do to get fired-up for Bridgewater. It’s Bridgewater," Visnic added. "I don’t think they’re as good as they were last year because they lost people, but they always have a good team. They always compete and get up for the game."
   The Raiders, confident and currently in charge of the Delaware Division race, will be ready to defend their home turf.