Same old winning story for new boys

By: Dave Gurney
   New season, mostly new players, just the same result.
   The Monroe Township High School boys soccer team just continues to win, bouncing back from the departures of six senior starters and 13 players overall to start the 2006 season 3-0 overall and 2-0 in the Greater Middlesex Conference White Division heading into their Wednesday contest against New Brunswick.
   In the process, the Falcons have barely been challenged. They have outscored opponents 10-2 and received their closest test in a non-conference match-up against Ridge, escaping with a healthy two-goal victory.
   "We’ve done a good job coming out of preseason, doing the things we worked on and it’s helping us win," Monroe head coach Steve McKenzie said. "It’s been hard for us to attack because teams are putting extra defenders in the box. But we’re seeing a lot more opportunities offensively and we’ve executed well."
   Contributions have been aplenty from the Falcons, receiving stalwart performances by the defense and relentless offensive performances by the forwards and midfielders.
   Notably guiding the Falcons is senior forward Frank Carr, who leads the team with five goals and has scored in each of the first three games this season.
   The supporting cast has been just as proficient, with newcomer, junior Ivan Barretto second on the team with four goals and an assist, including a hat trick in a 4-1 triumph over South Plainfield on Monday. His comeback after a yearlong break from soccer has fortified an offensive attack looking to replace 2005 senior captain Justin Miller, who scored 23 goals in his final season.
   "We knew (Ivan) as a freshmen, when he led the freshman team with 20 goals," McKenzie said. "We knew he was a potentially special player and when he chose not to participate last year it hurt. But he’s done a great job this year on the attack and filling in for the guys we lost."
   Other contributors offensively have been a number of senior leaders, including Spencer Lawrence (three assists), Zach Theinert (two assists) and Billy Phillips (one goal).
   Outscoring opponents by an eight-goal margin is the surprising aspect of the retooled Monroe squad.
   Senior goalie Michael Rettberg has made a smooth transition from forward to goalie, making 11 saves and boasting a 0.67 goals-allowed-average.
   But it’s the intangibles Rettberg provides from the backline that impress McKenzie the most.
   "Rettberg has done an excellent job," McKenzie said. "He’s improving every day. He’s done a good job limiting opportunities and he’s made some big saves for us. He still makes some mistakes, but the important thing is he’s improving and adjusting well."
   Rettberg made four saves to preserve the 2-0 victory over Ridge on Saturday, stopping a couple key shots to stave off the comeback.
   But he isn’t the only player making a transition to another position.
   Theinert, a forward/midfielder last season, is getting acclimated to his move to the back of the field. Yet, despite the dramatic moves back in their senior seasons, both Rettberg and Theinert have done a more than adequate job, limiting shots and allowing a mere two goals this season.
   "All of our returning seniors have brought a competitiveness to the game that we haven’t seen in a little while," McKenzie said. "Having Theinert move to the back has been big and he’s done exceptionally well. He and the defense will be a key for us for the rest of the season."