Another season of New Jersey soccer is upon us and Hunterdon county coaches and players are anxious to start things off on the right foot in their respective campaigns.
Powerhouse Hunterdon Central fell short in its two sectional finals under boss John Dineen’s short tenure, but the quality and hunger are always there -- and no doubt many will see the return of the Red Devils to the summit.
Meanwhile, South Hunterdon is under first-year coach Joe Zisa, who sounds as passionate as any player on the pitch to get the season going.
Voorhees’ caretaker Chase Barbieri, a veteran of the county scene, has an array of returning players at his disposal while North Hunterdon’s Austin van-Spanje has a side of experience under his guidance to build off of an improved 2023 season after two hard campaigns.
Delaware Valley’s gaffer Michael Miklosey has a handful of core players to depend on but hoping he can pull off some surprises with the youth of his side.
HUNTERDON CENTRAL
2023 record: 14-4
Head coach: John Dineen, third year
The three-time defending county champions under Dineen’s helm are coming back with experience and depth.
Senior creative attacker Michael Catanzarite (seven goals last year) will combine with senior attacker and midfielder Francesco Perez-Rodriguez (five assists last year) while senior Simon Failla (five goals last year) adds to the play up front to continue to fuel their pace of play, one of Central’s strengths.
However, the Red Devils are also known for their discipline on defense, with seniors Lucas Czerniak, Owen Mayrides and Michael Peccia providing leadership in the back and for the whole side, overall.
“We are not putting a limit on what we think we can do this year,” Dineen said. “We are just trying to improve as a team and as individuals everyday.”
NORTH HUNTERDON
2023 record: 12-3-2
Head coach: Austin van-Spanje, third year
The Lions lost a large number of goals and assists to graduation following their best season in a decade.
Van-Spanje, however, expects another hard-working campaign from his players. Senior goalie Justin Crismale is back in the net to continue to earn his accolades, while senior forward Bryce Readie (11 goals last year) returns in attack.
Senior Chwuku Emeaso will help create play up top with Readie and in the middle, with his speed and quality ball skills. Junior midfielder William Jentsch will also help provide another dimension, with van-Spanje commending his work rate.
On defense, junior Aiden Reisner has shown capabilities with dribbling and decision-making abilities, a feat not easy playing from the back. Sophomore midfielder Douglas Metcalf is technically gifted and will spring a surprise on the pitch for the Lions.
Backing Crismale in goal is junior Aiden Reisner, who’s shown to be a spark, should he be called upon.
“We have really filled in well from players that have graduated and could cause a lot of problems for teams this year,” said van-Spanje. “Although we are moving in a different division, we are ready for anybody.”
VOORHEES
2023 record: 10-4-3
Chase Barbieri, 13th year
The Vikings have been on a tear in recent years and are returning a good-sized number of players.
Junior forward Dillon Devine (eight goals last year) is back in attack with junior central midfielder Tais Pendergast-Fischer, while sophomore Alexandre LaPointe mans the middle with his playmaking abilities.
In the back is senior Jake Vernieri, who manages his defensive unit of junior Zeke Hanley and senior Robert Bryan, both of whom are able to control and shut down opposing forwards.
Voorhees earned six shutouts, as it lost only once in its first 12 games, last year.
“We look to compete for our division as well the county and state sectional,” Barbieri said.
SOUTH HUNTERDON
2023 record: 15-5-1
Head coach: Joseph Zisa, first year
Player of the Year Alex Romano, Kyle Ingersoll and four other seniors are gone, but Zisa has a promising outlook on his group of players and vowed a “new style of soccer that will take adapting to for the entire program to follow for years to come.”
Last year, the Eagles lost only once in their first 12 matches. They are hoping to replicate that with a new crop of players.
Junior Ollie Horan (six goals last year) can play up top or in the midfield, while seniors Aaron Parisi and Tyler Silverman can both help out in the middle or back line.
Junior Connor Keyes will work between the pipes, while senior Noah Legg helps to guide his defense.
“Team strength is definitely chemistry within,” said Zisa, “and motivated leaders to push the team forward.
Zisa added that with his side’s lack of varsity experience, he may also turn to younger players at any given moment of the season for additional resources.
DELAWARE VALLEY
2023 record: 6-12
Head coach: Michael Miklosey, seventh year
The Terriers have endured a few rough seasons but Miklosey is looking toward a bright spot as a strong junior class returns to the pitch with experience up top and in the midfield.
Captain Jake Cooke (eight goals, seven assists last year), who Miklosey said is the “best player every time he steps onto the field,” with “phenomenal” footwork, will provide the attack alongside high-energy forward Angel Marquez, whose brother Juan, another striker, was a key contributor prior to graduation.
Playmaker Marco Nassi is fast with quality foot skills, while senior Alex Gonzalez Rodriguez provides leadership and is an outside presence for his middies.
In goal will be junior Lucas Schulze, while freshman Ben Bolduc, who’s described as a youngster with a high soccer IQ, will help command proceedings in the back.
Other newcomers include junior midfielder Aaron Harvey, who’ll also help control the tempo in the middle of the pitch. Amel Bontempo can play up top or in the middle and with his energy can be a versatile addition to Del Val.
“We are a young team with some inexperience in some spots on the field,” said Miklosey, who’s in his seventh year as head coach. “We will look to cover up some of those weaknesses with smart, quick play, especially from within our midfield.
DATES TO KEEP
Oct. 7: Hunterdon/Warren/Sussex Tournament first round
Oct. 9: H/W/S quarterfinals
Oct. 11: H/W/S semifinals
Oct. 12: H/W/S final
Oct. 26: State tournament qualifying cutoff
Nov. 5: State sectional first round
Nov. 8-9: Sectional quarterfinals
Nov. 12: Sectional semifinals
Nov. 15-16: Sectional finals
Nov. 19: State semifinals
Nov. 23-24: State finals
Nestor F. Sebastian can be reached at nsebastian@njadvancemedia.com
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