Smoke no joke as regular

By: David Gurney
   South Brunswick senior midfielder Steve Smoke was simply doing what the coaches asked him to do.
   Assistant varsity coach Steve Dentler told him at halftime to cut in front of the defense during free kicks, look to capitalize on the scrum in the 18-yard box.
   But even he was a little stunned the ball would be there for him in the box off teammate Bryan Keller’s free kick one minute into the second overtime at rival St. Joseph’s.
   "It fell right to my feet and I couldn’t have asked for a better break," Smoke said after his team’s practice Monday. "It was just a great break for us."
   Smoke knocked it into the upper corner of the net, a break that helped the South Brunswick boys soccer team claim a 3-2 overtime triumph over St. Joseph’s. That win, coupled with a 1-0 victory over East Brunswick Tuesday, have propelled the squad to a perfect 5-0 start to the season and 4-0 in the rugged Red Division.
   The spotlight has been on the tandem of juniors Zach Zenda and Troy Confessore, who have combined for seven of the team’s 10 goals.
   But perhaps the most vital part of the program’s resurgence has been the play of the senior leaders like Smoke, asked to play major minutes after playing limited minutes the previous seasons.
   "They play important roles for our team," head coach Chris Hayston said. "As much as guys like Steve may not play a marquee role with our team, his role is just as important as any one else’s.
   "Just seeing guys like Steve step up for us in a game like this is just huge for the whole team."
   Smoke, with three career varsity goals, is accustomed to stepping up for the squad. Just not in this capacity.
   Last season Smoke was relegated to a reserve role, playing regularly but at around 10 minutes a game. With experience in the back and midfield positions for a team that finished second place in the Red, it was hard for Smoke to increase his minutes.
   But for Smoke, just the chance to help and contribute was enough for him.
   "When I played on the lower levels of the program I used to play forward and offensive midfield," Smoke said. "When I came up here it took me a while to make the adjustment. It really took me all of last year and I wasn’t able to make the impact I wanted to make last year, but now I’m happy to contribute."
   With the graduation of the seniors, coupled with the departures of Jon Burd and Pete Fiorentino, all of a sudden there were a lot of holes to be filled on both sides of the field. Smoke, who has the versatility to play almost any position aside from goalie, didn’t know where he’d fit in with this year’s plans.
   "Coach Hayston told me in the preseason he’d use my in different spots, so I just worked hard at the different positions and kept working at it," Smoke said. "Then I just kind of caught on to outside midfield."
   From the outside midfield position, Smoke has already contributed to two game-winning goals: the goal against St. Joseph’s and an assist to Zach Zenda in South Brunswick’s 2-1 home victory over Old Bridge.
   Smoke’s growth and development have been apparent since the start of his soccer career at SBHS.
   "He’s had a tremendous amount of growth since freshman year," Hayston said. "Now in his senior year he’s getting more of a chance to play and he’s taking advantage of the opportunity. He’s an excellent two-way player and his skill and confidence have grown through the years."
   For Smoke, he notices that development as well, more personally than physically.
   "I’ve become a little bit more versatile than I was in the past," Smoke said. "I just want to help the team as much as I can and if that means playing the position of midfielder, not in the spotlight as much, then it’s what I have to do."