The first month of the boys soccer season is nearly complete, and already the Greater Middlesex Conference (GMC) Red Division race is shaping up to be one of the most competitive in recent years.
No fewer than four teams are in position to capture the regular-season title, which historically produces the conference tournament champion as well. Not since 2011, when Edison High School from the White Division shared the title with Monroe Township High School, has a Red Division team failed to capture the GMC Tournament title.
As of Sept. 22, the order of teams in the Red Division standings is Monroe Township (6-0 division, 7-0 overall), Old Bridge High School (4-1 division, 5-2 overall), East Brunswick High School (5-1 division, 6-1 overall) and South Brunswick High School (4-2 division, 5-2 overall).
East Brunswick always seems to be a challenger for the division and conference tournament titles. The Bears last won the tournament in 2013 and were Red Division champions in 2011. This year is no exception, with the lone defeat coming at the hands of Old Bridge by a 2-1 margin.
“Consistency is always the key to prevailing, not only in the Red Division but in the postseason,” said Terry McKibbin, who is in his 11th season as coach. “Maintaining your best form throughout the entire season is very difficult. But as long as we strive to keep our focus day in and out, we have a better chance of surviving the peaks and valleys that inevitably occur.”
McKibbin contends the top priority for his team is to play consistent defense because it’s what keeps teams in games when the offense isn’t finishing scoring chances. East Brunswick is strong on both ends of the pitch. Offensively, the scoring is led by four seniors: forward Keysean Brant- Sharp (seven goals, two assists), midfielder Mohammed Fquihi (four goals), midfielder Ryan Stelicos (three goals, one assist) and Jason Kramer (one assist).
McKibbin said the team’s signature is physicality.
Others who have contributed to the offense are junior forward Samweal Mahrous (two assists since returning from an injury) and senior forward Robert Ciuraru (two goals).
Defensively, sophomore goalkeepers Luca Espada and Ayyan Ray have split time in the net, while seniors Philip Ripp and Phil Ogalo are experienced on the back line.
Like most successful programs, East Brunswick has a long tradition of developing quality players who have come up through the township recreation ranks. McKibbin recognizes how important a wellrun grassroots program contributes to the success of the high school team.
“The East Brunswick Soccer Club developed great players long before I became coach,” McKibbin. “I’m grateful to be able to coach a team that already had a greater feeder system in place.”
McKibbin said the high school team annually conducts a camp during the summer in conjunction with the Soccer Club when players get to work with some of the organization’s top trainers.
East Brunswick closes out a busy September when it travels to North Brunswick Township High School Sept. 24 and hosts South Brunswick Sept. 26 and Piscataway Township High school Sept. 29.