MHS boys’ soccer team looks to future

Shambach optimistic about 2007

By: John Beisser
   
   As the Manville High boys’ soccer team heads into the off-season, head coach Mike Shambach took a moment to reflect back on the efforts of his graduating seniors, while also stealing a sneak peak at next season when he will welcome back a nucleus of solid, experienced players.
   The Mustangs were led all season by its trio of captains, Roland Yakobchuk, Ronny Lobo and Marvin Sosa. In many respects, it was Yakobchuk who represented the heart and soul of the Manville lineup and his contributions did not go unnoticed by Shamabach.
   "Roland was a senior who was kind of a hard-nosed player, just a tough kid who never stopped running," Shambach said. "He set a good intensity level as a leader on the team and was a real workhorse for us from the center-halfback position."
   Lobo was a key contributor all season to the Mustang defense from his left fullback position. "He was solid back there and played a lot of very tough games," Shambach said.
   Sosa is a junior academically but was in his final season of eligibility and was a mainstay for the Mustangs. "Marvin brought excellent skills to the table as our sweeper," Shambach said. "He was extremely fast and an extremely smart player and a real leader, especially on the defensive end."
   Senior striker Edyn Pineda was also leader from his striker position. A skilled player with excellent touch, Pineda scored a pair of goals in Manville’s stirring victory over Somerset Vo-Tech.
   "Ed created a lot of opportunities," Shambach said. "He suffered an injury in mid-season that sidelined him for five games and that really affected us, mostly on the offensive end. It was kind of a nagging injury. I’m pretty sure if he was healthy all season we would have had more success."
   Another senior whose contributions will be missed is Lukasz Bogdanowicz, a tall, rangy defender who was involved in a number of important plays throughout the season.
   "Lukasz provided a very physical presence for us and was another kid who just never stopped running, always hustling," Shambach said. "He was just one of those players who played the game with a lot of heart."
   With an eye towards next season, Shambach singled out goalie Matt Zangara. Just a sophomore this season, Zangara was elevated from the jayvee to varsity at roughly the mid-point of the season and his skills and vocal leadership belied his youth.
   "He was our most improved player," Shambach said succinctly. "Matt was among a number of young players who gained valuable experience that will help them next season."
   Junior Alex Malliard is a talented player with great skill and dribbling ability, who battled through some injuries this season. He is expected to make an impact at center halfback next season. Sophomore Pawel Maziarz and juniors Jim Lozada and Anthony Valverde represent a trio of athletic players who are expected to make significant contributions, with the latter two playing as seniors in 2007.
   In addition to Zangara, three other players made the jump from jayvee to varsity and who now understand the pace and complexity of the game at the varsity level. Getting a taste of varsity action as freshmen were Cesar Mora, Doug Bradley and Frank Calderon.
   "Although we only won one game this season, I was impressed with our team’s effort and attitude all season," Shambach said. "As a first-year coach, it was important for me to establish my philosophy. I believe in discipline and the team concept. Soccer is a game based on passing and working together and this team bought into those concepts. I never had any problems with them and they were great kids to coach.
   "They didn’t give up and they never quit," he added. "Despite our record, they were still motivated throughout the season and were a pleasure to coach. They love the game and I am excited to coach the returning players next season. I think they gained important experience this year. We had such a tough stretch of opening games this year, having to play four good teams in five days. That kind of put us behind. Hopefully next year we will have some early success and that will set us up well for the season."