By Jimmy Allinder
The South River High School boys soccer team labored through last year’s regular season with a 9-7 record before kicking it up a notch and winning the NJSIAA Central Jersey, Group I title.
Head coach Eric Clays hopes the Rams, who were 14-9 overall last season, can contend for the sectional title and win the Greater Middlesex Conference (GMC) Blue Division championship. In contrast to last season, the Rams are off to a strong start this year.
South River opened with a 5-0 shutout over Bishop George Ahr High School Sept. 9, followed by a 5-1 victory over Metuchen High School Sept. 12. In the two wins, seniors Matt Pietrzyk and Michael Pisco have deposited three goals each, with Pisco turning in a hat trick against Metuchen.
Senior midfielder Nark Miranda Jr. has one goal and three assists and has been especially effective at setting up the offense. Other goal scorers are Wesley Costa (one goal), Miguel Fonseca (one goal, one assist), Kyle Santos (one goal) and Brian Sexiero (one goal). Assists have come from Dennis Fernandes (two), Erik Lucas (one) and Andre Mirossal (one).
Junior goaltender Eric Lucas has only had to make 10 saves in the two victories.
“Winning the division and sectionals is always a goal,” said Clays, who started coaching in 1999 and has led his team to three sectional crowns (2008 and 2010 in addition to last year). “If we remain healthy, we have as good a shot as anybody this season.”
Following a 2-1 loss to Metuchen in the season opener, Spotswood High School has rebounded with wins over Highland Park High School, 3-2, in overtime and Wardlaw-Hartridge High School, 3-2.
The Chargers, who were 11-9 last year, have been led by senior Nick Moran, who has six goals in the two victories, including the one that secured the overtime victory against Highland Park. Moran has continued the scoring pace he set last year when he deposited 15 goals in the first seven matches before being shelved by a season-ending knee injury.
Moran’s health will be crucial to Spotswood’s chances of winning the division, but head coach Jeff Marvinny said he trusts his team’s depth will compensate for any injury.
The rest of the regular lineup includes midfielders Danny Peabody, Matteo Tavella (one goal, two assists), Andrew Oross (one assist), Ryan McCook and Chris Moran; and defenders Colin Barlow (one assist), Chris Mathew, Tommy Wells and Nick Evanego (one assist). The goalkeeping duties have been handled by Matt Evanego.
Marvinny said last year’s team was hampered by injuries, including the one to Moran, which led to the team’s record. The upside was increased playing time for younger players.
“We’re fairly deep with experience, and we hope to develop as the season progresses,” he said. “The players practice hard every day and have responded to coaching.
“We usually talk about three goals each season. We want to compete for the division title, advance as far as possible in the GMC Tournament and win our first game in the states.”