Carl W. Goetz Middle School’s boys’ soccer team nailed down a repeat unbeaten season and Ocean County Middle Schools Red Division championship under coach Ken Sims.
“We had a lot of kids playing for their third year since sixth grade and some playing a second season,” said Sims, who was helped by assistant coach Nick Farrara. “Our No. 2 and No. 3 scorers were back from last year, so we knew the offense was going to be pretty good. The defense surprised me.”
Credit that part largely to Ed Jacoby, the stopper and heart and soul of the defense, with solid support from sweeper Rony Bantang and outside backs Connor Lucas, voted the most improved player, and Chase Olejarz. All four of them are eighth graders. They were instrumental in Goetz’s 12-0-3 record, which is one victory more than last year’s 11-0-2 record. The team also outscored its opponents, 108-6.
Goalkeeper Joe Weinstein, the team’s Sportsmanship Award winner, nailed down 11 shutouts.
The soccer team is sound in all three areas — defense, midfield and scoring, where Dan Russo, the No. 3 scorer a year ago, led the way with 18 goals and 15 assists. Drew Greenblatt again was the No. 2 scorer this fall with 15 goals and 11 assists playing at the center midfield spot. Both are eighth graders who played for the Red Division All-Star team along with Jacoby that beat the Blue Division, 7-1. Sims also coached that Red Division team. Mike Caspar, another eighth grader, had five goals and four assists at the other forward spot alongside Russo.
They’ll be welcome additions moving up next fall to Jackson Memorial High School’s varsity team, which had sporadic scoring with some key injuries that held it back from a stronger season than expected.
The wide scoring margin by this season’s Goetz team shows that most of the victories were walkovers, while the ties included a 2-2 season opener with Southern, which tied it with 30 seconds left in regulation, a 1-1 tie with Lakewood in the last game and a scoreless tie with Toms River South. Caedan Miller started for his second season at center midfield. Sharing time on the outside are eighth graders Tyler Hawlett, Anthony Mantello and Jared Reardon and seventh grader Sean Clarke. The Slusak brothers — Steve, an eighth grader, and Sean, a seventh grader — were resourceful reserves.
With the all-around high skill level, Goetz benefited from having games moved from the natural grass playing field at the school to the Justice Complex’s artificial surface.
“It helped the team,” Sims said. “Many played on travel, and they were very disciplined. They passed the ball and were unselfish in getting the ball open to the person when that player got open from being double and triple-teamed.”
Although most players graduate from the Goetz boys soccer team, Sims said he is excited about the talent coming up from the B team, which was also unbeaten.
“They did so well,” Sims said. “They’re really skilled and on turf will be very good. They totally dominated other teams and played well together.”
Sims also coaches the wrestling team at Goetz, which opened its season Nov. 30 at St. Joseph’s and follows with a match at Lakewood Dec. 3. The team seeks a repeat title, and Jacoby is a key figure as he competes at either 138 or 145 pounds. He is part of a nucleus of a team that is solid throughout the upper and lower weights.
“[Goetz] definitely will be in the hunt for another [Red Division] title,” Sims said.
The wrestling team has upgraded its schedule with matches against Phillipsburg, North Hunterdon and Watchung Hills. Only four starters from last season’s 11-0 team graduated and both heavyweights’ families relocated, but Brett Blaess, who won the Ocean County tournament title as a sixth grader, leads the returnees at 70 pounds.
Brad Blussi, wrestling at 170 or 185 pounds, and Mike Wischengrad at 115 are resourceful returnees. Sims and his staff of assistants that again include Farrar, as well as Eric Rado and Brian Kelly, also look to eighth graders Jason Burkett at 105 pounds, Nick Beetle at 110, Kyle Epperly at 150 or 160 pounds and Mike Fiore at 170 or 185 and seventh graders Rob Lagrednis at 100 pounds and Luke Temple at 80 pounds.