By David Gurney, Sports Writer
There is no mistaking this year’s Monroe Township High School boys soccer team with last year’s.
There are new, younger, more inexperienced players and it showed with an 11-6 regular season record.
But that doesn’t mean they aren’t capable of duplicating last year’s GMCT winning run, at least in head coach Steve McKenzie’s eyes.
McKenzie alluded to the team’s narrow defeat to South Brunswick, the Red Division champion and No. 2 seed in the tournament, as proof that the squad can play with anyone in the county.
”If we play at the level we played against South Brunswick for 80 minutes, we should move on in the tournament,” McKenzie said following his team’s 1-0 defeat to South Brunswick on Tuesday. “But we’ve proven we can lose at any time. What kind of effort we have will dictate how far we go.”
It was a tightly-contested, evenly played game that saw a single breakdown on defense decide the outcome. Right after a re-start, SB forward Zach Zenda got behind the defense, took a shot that was saved, but gained the rebound and put it home for the game’s only tally.
Monroe had many chances late, but couldn’t draw even.
”Just the field, the start of game and warm ups, it felt like a county game from the start,” McKenzie said. “The game itself, they’re the best team we’re going to face in conference or states, it was a good test to see where we’re at. I was pleased with our effort and toughness, we just have to finish better.
”It was definitely a good opportunity for us to prepare for the tournament.”
The Falcons enter the GMC’s as the No. 5 seed, a spot that pits them against the winner of No. 12 Woodbridge and No. 24 Perth Amboy in the second round, most likely to be played Saturday in Monroe.According to McKenzie, the team lucked out with the seeding, especially after suffering tough losses to New Brunswick (No. 23) and Woodbridge in the regular season.
”I guess we put ourselves in the position where we’re at, but we’re a little fortunate that, because of the name of our name in the program, we got a little more respect than we probably earned,” McKenzie said.
”Given the way the two games went against New Brunswick and Woodbridge, it really hurt us and affected where we should be.”
For the Falcons to repeat, or advance far, the team will need steady leadership from junior Brandon Sebastian in the midfield. The team’s offense and defense flow through the center midfield, making it all the more critical that third-year starter Sebastian bring his “A” game for each and every county contest.
”A lot of our success depends on how much of a presence he is in games,” McKenzie said. “If he’s a presence, it will open up things for Ivan (Barreto), Sean (Lawrence), Garret (Beyer). Ivan will be probably be locked up, so a lot will depend on what Brandon gives us. The difference maker is how much of a presence Brandon is going to be.”
