Red Bank Catholic High School goalkeeper Nick Schwiezer (c) leaps to make a save against Holmdel High School in the first half of their Sept. 14 game at Dorbrook Park in Colts Neck. The Caseys fell to Holmdel by a final score of 4-0. ERIC SUCAR staff Despite a slow start, the Red Bank Catholic High School boys soccer team is looking to make its mark this fall in the Shore Conference’s Class A Central Division.
Thus far, coach George Black’s team has struggled, scoring just a single goal while dropping its first four matches. Still, the Caseys have six starters back from last year, as well as two solid goalkeepers.
“Last year, our team was very young and it showed, but they gained a lot of experience and learned a lot,” the coach said. “I think that experience is going to pay off for us this year. It’s still early and we have a lot of games left.”
Black is counting on his team leaders— fullbacks Ryan Farley and Steve Lisowski and junior goalkeeper Nick Schweizer, all of whom saw substantial playing time a year ago when Red Bank Catholic won five times.
Farley and Lisowski are joined on the backline by Brandon Thompson, another returning player. Junior Nolan Riley and promising sophomore Bryan Andrew should see plenty of action for the Caseys. Ryan Robertson and freshman Jake Wosleger provide depth in front of the net. Connor Fogler will spell Schweizer in net. The midfield is also a strength, according to Black. Sophomore Vince Gallo has moved to center-mid after playing up front last fall. Juniors Max Paredes, a returning starter, and Patrick Meehan, a scoring threat, as well as sophomore Chris Cesario, who made a strong impression last season, are the other starters. Junior Blaise Venditti and freshman Kyle Bates round out the Caseys’ middle.
“We have a solid foundation of leadership and good team camaraderie,” Black said. “Our real strength is in the middle on defense. We play defense as a team and the guys all work hard. That’s the area we need to concentrate on because I think we’ll get better and better with each game.”
The Caseys will need to get their offense going. Senior strikers Austin Patella and John L’Estarance are the primary threats, while Venditti will move up from time to time.
Red Bank Catholic is in one of the more competitive divisions in the Shore Conference, as A Central also includes Holmdel High School, Raritan High School, Rumson Fair Haven Regional High School and St. John Vianney High School.
“We think that we can compete with those teams,” Black said. “We have talented players and if we continue to improve as a team, we’ll be all right. Our goal is to peak in time for the tournaments. Once they start, anything can happen.”