New Egypt High School’s 4-0 start in boys soccer is not much of a surprise with all but three starters returning from last year’s 22-2-1 team. But having a 25-1 scoring margin so far this season reflects an even more impressive showing out of the gate than a year ago, when the Warriors won their first 11 games.
“It’s kind of surprising, but we know we have the potential,” senior sweeper Matt Dey said, adding that it’s just a matter of showing their skills. “It’s a matter of doing it all the time. I think we can if we keep our focus.” “It’s only going to get better,” Dey added. “We knew we had this in us. We lost three starters, but players stepped up and filled their shoes,” stopper Ken Stillwell said. “We’ve done a really good job of possessing the ball to give our team an opportunity to score. And when we lose the ball, we get it right back. Our players are picking their shots and beating the other team’s goalie.”
Two of those new starters are outside fullbacks David Calabrese and Raphael Archer. Sophomore Willie Davis has filled in at stopper while Stillwell is out with an ankle injury. Connor Ingenbrandt and Ryan Grasso are again sharing time in goal.
The defending Burlington County Scholastic League Freedom Division champions recorded 7-0 victories over Florence Township Memorial High School, Maple Shade High School and Burlington County Institute of Technology, as well as a 4-1 triumph over a perennially solid Palmyra High School team. The Warriors look to continue their winning ways this week with games at Burlington City High School on Sept. 24 and at home against Trenton Catholic Academy on Sept. 27, with Stillwell’s playing status still uncertain. The Warriors play Holy Cross High School on Sept. 30. This stretch should give them a good indication on where they stand for this season.
Junior center midfielder Vinny Masitti leads the way with six goals and three assists, and junior Nick Sample, who also plays in the middle, has five goals and seven assists. Senior forward Travis Ward has five goals and three assists. They have made up for the loss of graduated forward Adam Coyle.
“We definitely put it together, which we’ve expected,” coach Sam Palumbo said. “These kids have been starting for three and four years, and [they] have been playing together all year long. They come out understanding the game and what’s expected [of them].”
Erig Wig has two goals and two assists as right midfielder, and Kennard Taylor has been steady on defense on the left side.
Senior forwards Ken Johnson and Jacob Bogucki, junior defenders Matt Blomgren and Gavin Pritchard, and junior center midfielder A.J. Marabuto provide needed depth.
“We have to just stay humble and not get overconfident,” Stillwell said. “We have some tough teams coming up.”