HHS boys ready to attack soccer foes

Puma adds third striker to bolster offense

By: Rudy Brandl
   Hillsborough High boys’ soccer coach Eric Puma wants to see his team light up the scoreboard this season.
   With eight returning starters back on the field for the 2006 campaign, the Raiders can afford to open up the attack. Puma expects the addition of a third forward to ignite the offense and produce more goals.
   "We’re going to do things a little bit differently this year," Puma said. "We’re going to play three in the midfield and we’re going with three strikers. We have some returning players on defense, so our mindset needs to be more attacking. We have a lot of capable people who can play forward."
   The Raiders traditionally have played the 4-4-2 system used by most teams in today’s high school game. Puma felt that scheme wouldn’t do this year’s team proper justice, especially with so many talented players in his program.
   "With a 4-4-2, you don’t develop as many players up front," he said. "I want to develop more players. I want to get more people on the field. The defense is good enough where we can put more numbers forward. It’s very attractive soccer and it’s more fun to watch."
   Puma feels confident about trying this new goal-oriented system because of his veteran defense. Senior goalkeeper Zach Zamek returns for his second varsity season, while senior defenders Sean Kelly, Alex Miska and Ben Klein are also back after solid junior campaigns. Junior Sean Downey saw significant action last fall and will play on the outside with Klein. Miska and Kelly will patrol the central defense.
   "I’m very excited about having all those guys back," Puma said. "You can see the experience has served them well. They look much more confident and much more aggressive. We’re definitely counting on them."
   The new system will employ one holding midfielder and two attacking mids. Senior returnee Mike Argueta is probably best suited as the holding midfielder because of his rugged style but he can also play one of the attack slots. Fellow senior Chase Barbieri, a dangerous scorer, will move back into the role of attacking midfielder where he can also serve as a playmaker.
   Juniors Achille Confuorto and Joey Caratozzolo and sophomore Vinnie McEnroe will also see action in the midfield. Confuorto will work as a holding midfielder, while Caratozzolo and McEnroe will bolster the attack.
   "It looks like a triangle with one guy up and two back, or two guys up and one back," Puma said. "You can spin it depending on how much you want to attack. We can still keep our formation and become more defensive if we want."
   Sophomore Yannick Smith leads a young and talented group of forwards. Smith saw significant varsity time as a freshman and gave Raider fans a glimpse of the team’s bright future. This fall, he’ll be a full-time starter on the wing who should score a bunch of goals.
   Barbieri and Caratozzolo may also work into the front line rotation as target players. Puma likes Caratozzolo’s size and Barbieri has significant experience as an attack player. Others expected to contribute up front include varsity newcomers John Marcsisin, Mark Kziesopolski, Mike Lunemann, Rob Marley and Chris Ramirez.
   "We’re really focusing on playing attacking soccer," Puma said. "That’s going to keep our opponents defending all the time. I’m really optimistic about scoring goals."
   The rest of the 20-man varsity roster includes Vinnie Amendolare, Eric Benson, Ryan Ebert and goalkeeper Casey Koplik, who will share time with Zamek. Puma wants to get everyone involved in the fun of the new system.
   "It’s fun to watch, but it’s demanding on the boys," Puma said. "It’s wide-open, end-to-end action. I’ll be using more players because it is a demanding style of play. Attacking soccer is more fun to play. We’re trying to create instead of disrupt. That’s our focus and our philosophy."
   The Raiders are still learning and working out the kinks of the new system. Once they become more comfortable and confident with the attacking style, the HHS boys will start piling up goals.
   Hillsborough has been a winning team during Puma’s tenure as head coach, capturing division titles and penetrating deep into the county and state tournaments. However, the Raiders have not won a title the past two seasons.
    That could change in 2006, when the Raiders should be a factor in the division, county and Central Jersey Group 4 title chases.
   "We’re going to be very competitive again," Puma said. "It’s going to be difficult to beat us. We have 20 varsity players and they’re all making contributions. That’s what we’re going to need to get to the next level."
   Hillsborough begins its season with a huge game Saturday morning at Bridgewater-Raritan at 10 a.m.