The Sayreville War Memorial High School boys soccer team will count on a handful of key returnees and an influx of newcomers as it looks to contend for the Greater Middlesex Conference (GMC) White Division crown.
A year ago, the Bombers battled their way to a 10-9 mark and reached the quarterfinals of the GMC tourney, where Sayreville fell to North Brunswick after defeating Spotswood in the opening round. The blue and gray also earned an NJSIAA Central Jersey Group IV playoff berth, but had the unenviable task of facing undefeated Hunterdon Central.
Of Sayreville’s nine losses, six were by a single goal.
Coach Nick Cifelli noted that the White Division will be very competitive this fall with teams like Monroe and North Brunswick among the contenders. Sayreville did pick up a win over Monroe last season, and the Bombers played well in their losses to North Brunswick.
“I think we can do a lot better this season,” Cifelli said. “This is by far the hardest working team I’ve ever had. We expect to be in the thick of the division race, and we want to go further in both the GMC and state tournaments.”
Cifelli is looking to use his team’s excellent overall speed and offensive prowess to keep opponents at bay.
Top scorer Kene Eze returns after posting 24 goals and eight assists a year ago — often while being marked by two players. The senior, who scored 32 goals as a sophomore, could be even more dangerous this year, as Sayreville will have additional firepower on the front line.
Cifelli expects junior Fred Kolenovic to put up good numbers after displaying plenty of promise a year ago when he scored five times and assisted on a pair of goals. Junior Kyle Santos, who scored twice last season, is another threat. Michael Clark will see time up front as well. In addition, twins Emeka and Olisa Eze, Kene Eze’s younger brothers, should bolster the attack. Olisa Eze will patrol the front line, while Emeka Eze will be in the middle. The younger Eze’s are sophomores.
Joining Emeka Eze in the middle are Joe Janela, who picked up four assists last year; Santos, Randall Boulton, Don Chang, Chris Clark Ryan Christensen and Greg Oriolo.
“We’re going to be an offensive-minded team and I think we’ll probably see a lot of high-scoring, 5-4 type games,” Cifelli said. “That’s all right as long as we have the five.”
Lest people get the wrong impression, while Sayreville does have a new goalie, Jake Ryan, its defense is experienced and formidable.
Senior John Comerford and juniors Nick Colgan and Osama Sbeah all started a year ago. They will be augmented by Steven Buscar, Andrew Frotton, juniors Eric Llorente and Jude Safaro, and sophomore Junior Sosa. Ryan and several of the newcomers helped lead the junior varsity to a 14-3 mark a year ago. “The key for us is how fast our experienced players and our younger but talented newcomers gel together,” Cifelli said. “Right now they’re still learning to play together. If we can hold our own through the first few weeks we’ll be all right, because I expect we’ll get better and better as the season progresses.”
Fortunately for Sayreville, its first three games are at home. Colonia visits for the season opener on Sept. 11, and Haddonfield comes to the borough the following day. On Sept. 14, Cifelli’s team hosts rival Monroe under the lights with kick-off set for 7 p.m.