By Jimmy Allinder
The Monroe Township High School boys soccer team is again one of the top teams in the Greater Middlesex Conference (GMC) Red Division, and wins against two quality opponents to open the season demonstrate why.
The Falcons edged East Brunswick High School, 2-1, Sept. 8 and followed two days later with a 2-1 double-overtime win at Old Bridge High School. The Bears and Knights, along with New Brunswick High School, South Brunswick High School and Saint Joseph High School of Metuchen, join Monroe as favorites to win the Red Division.
The Falcons hosted Piscataway Township High School Sept. 13, and they’re on the road for a match at John P. Stevens High School Sept. 15 and at Perth Amboy High School Sept. 17.
Returning seniors Matt Mischler (six goals, nine assists) and Matt Cavadas (three goals) were expected to be the top offensive weapons, but the scoring in the first two victories has been evenly distributed. Mischler showed why he is one of the catalysts for the Falcons’ attack by scoring a goal and assisting on two others in both wins. It was his nifty feed to junior David Zaorski in the second overtime at Old Bridge that enabled the junior to deposit the game-winner.
Seniors Alessio Mariello and Pat Nolan had one goal each, while Matt Hoyt had an assist. Junior goaltender Nick Rios continues to be strong in the net with 18 saves in the first two matches.
Monroe (15-5-1 in 2015) looks to not only capture the Red Division but return to the GMC Tournament finals. The Falcons were eliminated in the semifinals a year ago, 1-0, by South Plainfield High School. Monroe defeated New Brunswick to make the NJSIAA Central Jersey, Group IV tournament finals but was defeated, 3-2, by Freehold Township High School.
The rest of the roster includes seniors Nick Lupiano, Sid Mamidi, Chinoso Okocha, John Paiva, Nish Patel, Nicholas Sales and Luigi Umali; juniors Liam Craver, Chris Graetzig, Alessio Mariello, Kevin Senkus, Nick Turich and Saaketh Kanaturi; and sophomores Brendan Deal, Michael Mancinelli, George Olynk and Victor Park.
Freshmen hoping to move up to the varsity team include Akshat Gupta, Tommy Haimer, Robert Hunter, Matt Pascal and Brendan Ryan.
Despite the season-opening loss to Monroe, East Brunswick (15-5-1 last year) rebounded with a 2-0 shutout over Piscataway Sept 10. The Bears were never threatened, with goaltender Lucas Espada needing to thwart just four Chiefs shots; nevertheless, the spotlight will be on the talented senior to be a difference-maker this season.
Other roster members include Allan Carillo, Rob Ciuraru, Zachary Desrosier, Joseph Elqumos, Mohamed Fquihi, Vincent Huang, Adil Kolenovic, Samweal Mahrous, Alec Mandell, Philemon Ogalo, Sahil Patel, Ayyan Rahman, Ben Rosen and Ryan Stelicos.
Upcoming games included a visit to New Brunswick Sept. 13, a home match with Perth Amboy Sept. 15 and a visit to South Brunswick Sept. 17.
