With 13 players gone from last year’s 11-7-2 team, the J.P. Stevens High School boys soccer team will look to an experienced midfield to guide them to compete for a GMC Red Division title.
“We lost some high-caliber players,” Stevens head coach William McMullen said. “We’ll look to our only two returning starters – David Chessen and Kevin Medvecky – to control the center of the field. The question will be about our inexperienced offense and defense and whether they can keep us in games.”
The Hawks lost four players to the college ranks, with three-year starting goalkeeper Pat Brody heading the list. Brody is playing for Cornell University while classmates Ryan Kerry, Nick Sammaru and Sergio Fritas are playing at Quinnipiac, Iona, and Sacred Heart, respectively.
The team’s lack of experience was evident against what many feel is the team to beat in the Red Division, South Brunswick. Stevens lost to the Vikings 5-1, with its lone goal coming from forward Jack Shea.
“We have no easy games this year,” McMullen said. “South Brunswick is a very good team, but there are a number of good teams that we’ll face this season.”
In addition to returning starters Chessen and Medvecky, seasoned varsity players Stephen Gadaleta and Tom Urbanowicz return to the pitch for another varsity campaign. This year, Gadaleta and Urbanowicz have been thrust into starting roles and will be needed to perform at high levels to keep Stevens competitive.
Heading the list of newcomers to the varsity lineup this fall are freshmen Alex El-Fakir and Jon Salazar. Both earned starting positions in preseason.
“It’s unusual for us to start two freshmen, but both Alex and Jon were really impressive and they seem to fit right in with the makeup of the team.”
Matt Margon takes over for Brody in goal and will be backed up by fellow goalkeepers Matt Shea and David Novello.
“We’re hoping Matt can come through for us in just his first year at the varsity level,” McMullen said. “He has some pretty big shoes to fill.”
Defensive backs Mike Zinno and Troy Krutal will help to solidify the back line alongside Urbanowicz and Gadaleta and provide some reinforcement for Margon in the net.
“We also have a number of players expected to come off the bench and get plenty of playing time,” McMullen said. “A player like Steve Minucci will help Troy out in the back, and David Kornberg should see a lot of action up front with Jack Shea and Jon Salazar.”
Eli Anslender, Mike Montalbano and Jose Cagmano will likely provide some relief at midfield when needed, with Prasad Sawant a likely candidate to see action as a defender.
“Jon Salazar will give us some nice size up front, and Tom Urbanowicz provides plenty of speed in the back,” Mc- Mullen said. “A lot is riding on how well and how fast the younger players come along.”
Stevens played against Red Division rival East Brunswick at home on Monday. East Brunswick entered the week fresh off a 6-0 win over Voorhees over the weekend.