By: Dave Gurney
The South Brunswick High boys varsity soccer team won’t be afraid to go on the offensive this season.
Returning 13 players, including three of their top four scorers from 2005, the Vikings should feel just fine attacking the net.
But the question remains how will the Vikings respond to losing 80 percent of their starting defense from last season?
Count head coach Chris Hayston as one of the eager ones wanting to find out.
"I think we have the talent level to compete with anyone," Hayston said. "We have inexperience in terms of varsity experience, especially in the back. But in terms of the talent level we should be fine."
Momentum is certainly not on the Vikings’ side as it prepares for Friday’s opener against J.P. Stevens at home.
Despite an 11-8 campaign, the Vikes lost in both the Greater Middlesex Conference Tournament and the NJSIAA Group IV Tournament on penalty kicks, souring what was a relatively sweet season.
South finished in second place in the Red Division behind North Brunswick at 9-5. The Raiders are gone, dropping back into the White. But memories of those two dramatic losses still linger.
Hayston hopes that his team takes from those losses, some valuable lessons that will help this time around.
"I hope the guys realize how small a difference is between winning and losing," the coach said. "The little things are important. The difference between the upper echelon teams and lower ones isn’t a big gap. We just have to take care of the little things and we’ll be alright."
Taking care of the little things are primarily a group of upperclassmen, led by junior forwards Troy Confessore (seven goals, three assists in 2005) and Zach Zenda (three goals, five assists). They will be asked to shoulder the offensive load and take some pressure of an inexperienced defense.
"I think you’ve going to see a big year from Confessore and Zenda," Hayston said. "They were very dynamic in the preseason and they’re a big reason for our success."
Adding depth up front are senior Jeremy Boyd and Joe Perrow.
In the midfield are a variety of players, including junior Pete Fiorentino (four goals, one assist), sophomores Sean Tyree and Evan Beck, junior Ty Gillespie and seniors Kevin Kling, Steven Smoke and Tommy Clickner. Tyree will man the defensive midfielder position while the seniors will rotate on the outside.
At goalie, junior Chris DeSouza will replace last year’s starter Tommy Leibering. DeSouza is coming off a 3-2 season with one shutout and a 90 percent save ratio. Backing him up will be sophomore Kevin Gramata, making the step up from the junior varsity ranks.
However, DeSouza’s five starts last season make him one of the more experienced cogs in a defense having to replace imposing starters Dan Gurney, Anthony Veverka, and Jon Burd. Handling the challenge will be seniors Danny Miller and Randy Perez, as well as juniors Brian Keller and Shane Foley. Junior Chris McCourt and Joey Rettino will provide relief as the fifth and sixth backs.
Miller will have the task of playing sweeper, a spot previously held by All-State performer Gurney. Hayston has been impressed with Miller’s improvement and grasp of the position.
"I think the defense will be fine," Hayston said. "Danny Miller, who played defense last year, has been in excellent shape. He plays at an extremely high level. The new defense should come together nicely."
It will have to, as the schedule is once again imposing for the Vikings. Along with the traditional Red Division slate, the Vikings will face rivals North Brunswick and Monroe, as well as non-conference games against Hopewell Valley and Montgomery. The team’s mettle will be tested early and often.
"The schedule will be very tough for us this year," Hayston said. "But I think we have the talent level to compete with anyone."

