BY WARREN RAPPLEYEA
Staff Writer
An outstanding defense that has permitted just 14 goals has propelled the Sayreville High School soccer team into both the Greater Middlesex Conference (GMC) and NJSIAA Central Jersey Group III tourneys.
Sayreville is slated to open the GMC today at Highland Park, with the victor playing again on Saturday against the winner of the Edison-North Brunswick game. The CJ Group III tournament begins next week; seedings have not been announced yet.
The Bombers, 9-3-3, are sound defensively in front of senior goalie Larry Pokrywa, who is one of the top netminders in the GMC. Coach Nick Cifelli has used two sophomores, Michael Weber and Matt Welna, at sweeper and stopper, respectively, and both players have been doing the job. Brian Nowicki and Mitchell St. Louis are the fullbacks. Midfielder Carlos Caspao is also an excellent defender. All of Sayreville’s opponents, with the exception of Monroe, have been held to one goal or none.
“Defense has been the key for us and it’s been a team effort,” Cifelli said. “Our midfielders are good about getting back and, generally speaking, this is a very responsible team.”
Sayreville has, at times, had trouble putting the ball in the net. In the three losses and three ties, the Bombers have scored just three goals. In all, Cifelli’s team has 33 goals to its credit.
Lamin Sidibeh leads the team in scoring with 10 goals and two assists, followed by midfielder Chris Cesare, who has recorded six goals and two assists. Colly Muwalo also has scored six times, and Eric Geig has three goals and three assists playing in the middle.
“If we can score some goals, we’ll be all right in the tournaments,” Cifelli said. “This team can compete with anyone, and all we need is to score a little more often.”