HHS boys’ soccer team has talent to win

Rams have large number of returning players.

By: John Chester
   New head coach Tim Kalick will build his first Hightstown High School boys’ varsity soccer team on a large number of returning players. As a result, there is optimism that the Rams will improve on their 2006 results.
   Last year, Kalick was an assistant coach of the varsity team that finished with a 10-10 record, won the Colonial Valley Conference’s Valley Division and qualified for the state sectional tournament — Central Jersey Group III — where it went 1-1.
   This year, Kalick takes over leadership of the Rams from long-time head coach Dominic Mastroianni. Six seniors were lost to graduation from the 2006 team. Kalick welcomes back 11 returning players, including seven who were starters.
   "It’s highly realistic to think that we can improve on 2006 given the talent we have," Kalick said.
   He added that team’s objectives include having a winning season and returning to the state sectional tournament.
   Two things the Rams will need to do to take a step up this season will be to score more goals and be a bit stingier on defense.
   "Our forwards need to outwork opposing defenses and put the ball in the back of the net," Kalick said. "Last year, we missed a lot of shots that should have been goals. If the goals go in, that gives our defense a little more of a cushion."
   Kalick said that from what he has seen so far in practice, the players have come back stronger physically. Getting his players in even better physical shape will be a key to the upcoming season.
   "We’ve been preaching that the whole camp," Kalick said. "If we are in better shape, we’ll go farther."
   Being in better shape will enable the Rams to cut down on holes between the groups — forwards, midfielders and defenders.
   Returning starters are Alan Joseph (senior, forward), Brian Mino Worth (senior, striker), Israel Delgado (senior, center midfielder), Zach Breman (senior, fullback), Matt Nolan (senior, stopper), Derek Pinheiro (senior, outside fullback) and Adam Henry (senior, goalkeeper).
   Other returning players with varsity experience are Stephen Grill (senior, striker), Hector Paucar (senior, midfielder), Josh Cullen (junior midfielder), Eli Hernandez (junior, fullback) and Ryan Donelan (senior, midfielder).
   "Both Mino and Alan have been pretty productive for the program," said Kalick. "Both are beginning their second season as a starter and third season on varsity."
   Worth usually presents a match-up problem for opposing defenses, especially on head balls, since he stands 6-foot-5.
   Grill is also in the picture at forward. So is Paulino Arias, a senior who last played as a sophomore on the junior varsity.
   "We’ve got a pretty good core at midfield," Kalick said.
   Delgado will lead the group that also includes Paucar, Cullen and Donelan, who was a reserve on the varsity as a sophomore. He did not play as a junior due to injury.
   "He’s excited about the season and we’re excited to have him back," said Kalick of Donelan.
   On defense, three of the four starters return — Breman, Nolan and Pinheiro. Breman saw action at both outside fullback and sweeper last year. Which position he’ll play this year is to be determined.
   Hernandez, Robert Kearn and Jorge "Coco" Delgado, will see action on defense. Kearn is a senior. Delgado is a sophomore. Both played on the junior varsity last season.
   This year, Hightstown is changing leagues within the Colonial Valley Conference, moving from the Valley Division to the Colonial Division. Other teams in the Colonial League are Trenton, Steinert (Hamilton-East), Notre Dame and West Windsor-Plainsboro South.
   NOTES: Hightstown has three scrimmages scheduled – New Brunswick High (Tuesday, August 28), at Toms River High South (Thursday, August 30) and at Monroe High (Tuesday, September 4)
   The Rams open the regular season at home on Friday, September 7 against Ewing High.