BOYS SOCCER
By: Tim Falls
The Hopewell Valley Central High School boys varsity soccer team is younger than it used to be.
The team has graduated 14 seniors over the past two seasons and begins the 2007 season with just two returning starters.
Goalie Aaron Utman and forward Ryan Brost have experience as varsity starters.
"Everyone else is new," said Hopewell coach Ed Gola. "It’s one thing to adjust to the varsity level individually. It’s another when you have nine new guys making that adjustment."
Gola said it will take time for the team to make that adjustment.
"We have talent," said Gola. "We just have to learn a little bit and we should be okay."
This season’s Bulldogs are Nick Anuzis, Will Alton, Brost, Kevin Carroll, Tyler Cignarella, Dave Delooper, Adam D’Anna, Garrison Evans, Chris Greco, Randy Jones, David Leestma, Dan Lovero, Mike Lombardo, Tom Marsh, Nick Maida, Nathan Papperman, David Primer, Utman, Bran Ranson and Jon Reeves.
"Some were more of role players last year," said Gola. "This year they’re being counted on to step into starting roles and contribute."
Unfortunately, as the team readjusts Hopewell has a tough schedule at the start of the Colonial Valley Conference season.
Hopewell opens its season against Steinert at 4 p.m. Sept. 7 and faces Ewing and Princeton in the following games.
"We play a couple of the top teams right off the bat," said Gola. "The preseason will help us be ready for those games."
Hopewell played Moorestown in a scrimmage on Saturday and took on North Hunterdon in a scrimmage on Monday. The Bulldogs are also scheduled to scrimmage Jackson Memorial today.
"We have a tough preseason," said Gola. "We’re still learning to play at a higher level. The most important thing for them to do right now is to come out and work hard everyday."
Gola also stressed the importance of keeping the team’s spirits up, especially when facing some tough competition so early in the season.
"It’s important not to get down," said Gola. "If you start getting down, it makes it that much harder to be successful. They’re going to get it. It just takes time."
Those losses may be hard for the younger team to take given the success Hopewell has had.
"We’re accustomed to having success," said Gola. "They want success. It’ll just take patience."
Gola said he expects the team to change a lot from now until the end of the season as Hopewell comes together as a team.
"We have to learn to play ourselves first," said Gola. "Where we’re at today and where I believe we’re at by the end of the season will be a big difference."

